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1938] 90
In December, 1937, an intimation was received from the London County Council
regarding the utilisation of hospital accommodation to the greatest advantage for
cases of Scarlet Fever, Measles, Whooping Cough and Dysentery. Cases were to
be chosen having regard to the severity of the case and home conditions, and
particularly in the case of Measles, the selection of children under two years of age
was recommended owing to the high mortality at this age. Persons suffering from
these diseases were to be received only on the application of the Borough Medical
Officers of Health. This scheme continued until 16th May, 1938, when it was
discontinued with respect to Scarlet Fever, Measles and Dysentery, but continued
with regard to Whooping Cough, German Measles, Mumps and Chicken Pox.
The scheme, although necessary in view of the difficulties experienced in
obtaining nurses, caused a considerable amount of additional work in the Public
Health Department, and also some delays in getting cases into hospital, especially
those occurring in out-patient departments of hospitals, as in the absence of a
definite statement of medical urgency for hospital treatment, the patient had to
be sent home and await decision as to home conditions, etc., before removal to
hospital could be effected.