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14
SCARLET FEVER.
During 1928 there were 519 cases of scarlet fever notified. This is the greatest incidence
recorded since the years 1921 and 1922, when 827 and 529 cases respectively were notified.
In the year 1927, 320 cases were notified.
Of the cases notified 2 were under the age of 1 year, 119 between the ages of 1 and 5
years, 294 between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 86 between the ages of 15 and 35 years, and
18 over the age of 35 years.
Of the 519 cases 491 were removed to an Isolation Hospital. The remaining cases were
treated at home, proper facilities being available for isolation and treatment. Only 4 deaths
from scarlet fever occurred, the disease being usually of a mild type.
The clinical picture of scarlet fever nowadays is totally different from what it was 50
years ago. It was then a dangerous disease with a high case-mortality. It is now a disease
of minor importance as compared with measles, diphtheria and whooping cough. Last
year these three diseases caused the death of 71, 7 and 13 persons respectively as compared
with the 4 deaths from scarlet fever.
In spite of the pressure upon the beds of the Metropolitan Asylums Board owing to the
prevalence of measles it was not found necessary during the year to place any restriction
upon the admission of scarlet fever cases.

DIPHTHERIA.
(Including Membranous Croup).
During 1928 there were 302 cases of diphtheria notified. Of these there were 6 cases
under the age of 1 year, 84 between the ages of 1 and 5 years, 144 between the ages of 5 and
15 years, 59 between the ages of 15 and 35 years and 13 aged 35 years and upwards.
Of the 302 cases, 300 were removed to Isolation Hospitals. Two cases were
treated at home, proper facilities being available for isolation and treatment. Seven deaths
from this disease occurred during 1928, 6 of the deaths being those of children under the
age of 5 years.