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20
Small Pox was notified in 18 instances, as against 2 cases in the
preceding quarter, and 15 in the corresponding quarter of 1894. Happily
only 1 death resulted, so that the disease has been of a mild type.
Scarlet Fever was unusually prevalent, 487 cases having been
notified, compared with 261 in the preceding quarter, and an average of
579 cases in the corresponding quarters since 1891.
The returns for the several third quarters since 1891 were—
Third quarter 1891
166 cases.
,, ,, 1892
621
„ 1893
1,128 „
„ „ 1894
401 „
,, 1895
487 "
From this statement it is seen that the quarterly average during these
years was greatly influenced by the great outbreak of the disease in 1893.
Scarlet Fever was not confined, however, to Islington, for everywhere in
the Metropolis it was prevalent, and consequently, as the quarter advanced,
it became almost impossible to obtain isolation for patients in hospital, at
all events without considerable delay.
The following statement, giving the number of beds occupied with
the disease at the end of each week in the Metropolitan Asylums Board's
hospitals, will show how, from week to week, the pressure on the resources
at the command of that Board increased.
week ending. Hospital.
July 6th 2,044
" 13th 2,241
„ 20th 2,267
27th 2,347
Aug. 3rd 2,423
„ 10th 2,511
,, 17th 2,529
Weekending. Hospital.
Aug. 24th 2,507
„ 31st 2,512
Sept. 7th . 2,600
„ 14th 2,674
„ 21st 2,732
„ 28th 2,807
From this return it will be seen that with the exception of the last
two weeks in August there was a regular and steady increase in the
number of cases under hospital treatment from the commencement of