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17
It is satisfactory to note this almost complete
absence of small-pox from the district during the year.
The temporary building erected during the last
epidemic, together with all the tents and hospital
furniture and equipment are in good condition, and if
the occasion should occur, could be made ready for
use at short notice.
Tents, however, are unsuitable for the treatment
of a disease like Small-pox and should only be used as
a last resort. In addition to this temporary accommodation,
the Council have retained 6 beds at the South
Mims Small-pox Hospital for the use of the district,
and, should an outbreak occur, these are the beds that
would be used in the first instance.
Until the state of vaccination in this country
reaches the perfection in which it at present exists in
Germany,—where small-pox hospitals have ceased to
exist,—adequate permanent means for isolating the
disease will always be required and must be provided.
It is greatly to be desired, therefore, that the Joint
Hospital Scheme brought forward by the Middlesex
District Council's Association will before long take
practical form, for at the best, temporary hospitals are
neither satisfactory nor economical.
SCARLET FEVER.
There were 119 cases of scarlet fever notified
during the year, of which 57 were removed to hospital.
The cases were of a mild type and there were but two
deaths, which is equivalent to a case mortality rate of