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35
There has been a very marked prevalence of Scarlet Fever in
London and several other parts of the country during the year, and
Stoke Newington has suffered in common with other parts of the
Metropolis.
In at least 26 cases the infection appeared to be secondary to the
infection in another member of the household and in several cases
the infection was introduced into one home by visits from occupants
of other infected homes.
It is a remarkable circumstance that of the 195 cases of Scarlet
Fever notified within the Borough during the year, 167 were removed
to Hospital. Having regard to the low fatality of Scarlet Fever
(only 5 died out of 195 cases) and the enormous expense involved in
the Hospital isolation of this disease, I have long held the view that
the home isolation, of the disease should be called for except in those
cases where it is impossible without exposing others to risk, and
where the Medical Officer of Health is satisfied that there are
sufficient grounds tot call for isolation at the public expense. Many
of the cases notified in Stoke Newington each year could be
perfectly well isolated and treated at home; and the money saved
in this respect in the Metropolis could be far more profitably devoted
to the provision of Institutions for advanced cases of Consumption
and for Sanatoria.
ERYSIPELAS.
The 24 cases of this disease represent infection in 24 different
premises. In 2 of these, insanitary conditions of a slight nature
existed, and in one case the sanitary defects were grave. In 2 cases
there was a previous local injur)-, and in 2 a history of previous attacks.
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