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57
Diphtheria.
Thirty-seven cases of Diphtheria were admitted; 34 of these
were from Acton, and 3 from outside districts. The only death from
Diphtheria was of a child admitted from Hendon.
In 3 instances a mistake in diagnosis was probably made; at
any rate, the results of a bacteriological examination proved negative.
Thirty-four cases of true Diphtheria were therefore treated in the
Hospital with 1 death, or a fatality of 3 per cent.
Scarlet Fever.
152 cases of Scarlet Fever were admitted—150 from Acton,
I from Slough and I from Hendon. Six deaths occurred.
Three "return" cases were admitted. The conditions under
which these occurred have been detailed in a preceding paragraph
of the report. The percentage of " return " case^is not high compared
with other districts, but when the conditions under which the
patients sometimes have to be discharged are considered, the results
are very gratifying. There is no discharge block at the Hospital.
When possible the observation block is used as a discharge block,
and the patients are quarantined there for a few days prior to discharge.
The difficulty arises when for some reason the observation
block is not available, and the " return " cases occurred when more
than two diseases were being isolated at the Hospital. In such
circumstances, the patients have to be discharged directly from the
wards, and as the pavilions have no separation wards, there is no
possibility of keeping the acute and convalescent patients apart.
Enteric Fever.
Five cases of Enteric Fever were admitted, and three deaths
occurred.
Erysipelas.
One case of Erysipelas was admitted. Erysipelas is not usually
isolated in the Hospital, but the circumstances of this case rendered
it absolutely necessary that he should be nursed away from his house,
and he was removed to the Hospital at the request of his medical
attendant.