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28
Ispections and RE-inspections following
Notifications of Infectious Diseases.
In consequence of the increased number of cases
of Infectious Diseases, 1,910 visits and re-visits were
paid to premises in conjunction with the Medical
Officer of Health, where one or other of the notifiable
diseases occurred. Much time and attention was required
in dealing with the epidemic of Scarlet Fever
during the autumn, in order, as far as practicable, to
prevent the spread of the disease. For some time,
inspections in other directions were impracticable in
consequence.
It may not be considered out of place to briefly
mention here the work in dealing with a case of
Infectious Disease.
On the receipt of an intimation of a case, either
by telephone, notification form sent by post, or delivered
by hand, the particulars of the notification, if
the patient is recommended for removal to the Isolation
Hospital, are at once telephoned to the Matron,
and instructions are given to the ambulance driver to
proceed to the Hospital forthwith. An Inspector
visits the home of the patient and obtains, as far as
they can be ascertained, the particulars as to the date
of attack, last at work or school, the school attended
or place of work, list of other inmates in the house,
schools attended, occupations and places of work, milk
and water supply, library books, laundry, dates of recent
visits to other houses, suspected source of infection.
Arrangements are made for the disinfection of
the room or rooms, bedding, clothing, etc. Intimations
are sent to the dairymen, laundry, schools,
library, employers of contacts, and to the owner of the
house in respect of any nuisance he may be responsible
for.
Where there are proper means of isolation of the
patient at home, and it has been decided and arranged
for by the medical attendant, instructions are given
in respect of the precautions to be taken, the use of