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Section F. PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL
OVER, INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
Small Pox.
No case of small pox was notified during the year.
Scarlet Fever.
During the year there were 154 notified cases
of scarlet fever compared with 194 in the previous year.
Of these, 118 were isolated in Bow Arrow Hospital, 33
at home, and 3 in other isolation hospitals.
Home isolation continues to be encouraged, and the
disease remains mild.
There was one death associated with scarlet fever,
the immediate cause being general peritonitis,
gangrenous appendicitis and operation.
Return cases from hospital cases: Nil.
Return cases from home nursed cases: Nil
Average length of stay in Hospital: 38 days.
Diphtheria.
Forty-eight cases were notified as compared with 59
in 1937, and there was only one death. This occurred
in a child age four. None of these cases was isolated at
home, 41 being admitted to Bow Arrow Hospital, and
7 to other isolation hospitals.
The average number of days per patient in hospital
was 32. 489 swabs were taken for bacteriological
examination although on the whole, less reliance on, and
waiting for, the laboratories report is taken, and where
the practitioner is in doubt the case is usually sent to
hospital or a second opinion sought. The Medical
Officers of the Health Department are always available
for consultation.
Anti-toxin is supplied free by the Corporation, and
one is pleased to note that the medical practitioners use
it in the very early stages of the disease. This anti-toxin
can be obtained by any medical practitioner at the Health
Department, 14, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, during
office hours, and after office hours, an emergency supply
can be procured from the Bexley Cottage Hospital.
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