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78
separate items of procedure. With four unimportant
exceptions all the figures in the Table greatly exceed
those of the previous year, the increase being most
observable in the numbers relating to the inspection of
houses, the serving of notices, the disinfection of houses
after infectious diseases, and the general removal of
nuisances. The number of houses inspected amounted
to 4,933, shewing an increase of 538 ; of notices served
946—an increase of 503. The number of houses disinfected
was 402, being an increase of 228—the result of a
greater prevalence of epidemic diseases and the
systematic disinfection of every house in which such
diseases occurred. Sulphur-fumigation was as usual the
means employed, the results of which were most
satisfactory, for out of the total 402, in eleven instances
only was a repetition of the process necessary in consequence
of a further occurrence of disease ; but in two only was
there a recurrence beyond the period usually assigned to
"incubation," during which the patient might have
become affected; and these even, the intervals of which
were 17 and 26 days respectively, may, in the present
uncertain state of knowledge of the subject, have been
within the period referred to. It is surprising that the
recurrence of disease after disinfection was so very slight,
seeing that over 76 per cent. of all the patients notified
were treated at their own homes. Herein is a matter for
much regret that parents and others do not more
generally avail themselves of the great facility that is
now afforded by the Metropolitan Asylums Board for
the quick and safe removal of infected patients to
the Hospitals specially provided for their treatment with
advantages which cannot but rarely be secured at their
own homes. Eor there can be no question that, on the
occurrence of a case of infectious disease in a household,
the prompt isolation of the patient by removal to
Hospital, followed by immediate disinfection of the sick
room, is the most effectual means that can be employed