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32
During 1914.15 the greatest number of patients resident on one day was
170; that is 9 more than the normal accommodation.
The patients admitted from other districts appear to have been numerous,
viz.: 32 cases of scarlet fever and 33 with diphtheria; or over 7 per cent. of all
admissions.
Officers. Dr. Haldane Cook is the resident medical superintendent and
sole medical officer. The Clerk and Surveyor of the Enfield Council still act as
Clerk and Architect of the Hospital. Miss Eardley is the matron; there are
1 assistant matron, 4 sisters (1 for night duty), 5 staff nurses, 1 assistant nurse,
22 probationers and 6 ward maids; in 1914-15 the resident staff numbered 57
and the outdoor staff 3, as the year before, but differing a little in personnel.
Antitoxin. On the 6th December, Dr. Cook attended my Sanitary
Committee's meeting and suggested a plan by which the medical practitioners
might be prevailed upon always to administer antitoxin before the patient's
removal to hospital.
Return Cases. During the year 1915 there have been 23 such of
scarlet fever and 4 of diphtheria. Dr. Cook estimates the percentage of return
cases of scarlet fever during 1914-15 as 2-70, compared with 1-49 for the previous
period.
In February, a case of scarlet fever was renotified and sent back. In
April, a case of diphtheria was renotified and sent back ; the same day her
sister was notified and removed as scarlet fever (cross infection ?).
In April, too, a case discharged after scarlet fever was notified and sent
back for diphtheria (cross infection ?); also another was renotified as diphtheria
and sent back to complete her cure.
SMALL-POX HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION
Since January 31st, 1907, the Middlesex Districts Joint Small-pox
Hospital has been in existence at South Mimms. We must rejoice that
although precepts have been made from time to time on the Edmonton
treasury, no patients from the district have been sent there yet with small-pox.
The money (^225 for 1915-16; it was ^"222 the year before) is a premium for
an advantageous insurance.
Dr. Ta'Bois, the Resident Medical Superintendent, informs me that there
are 70 beds in the permanent buildings, and 143 more can be put in the
buildings of wood and corrugated iron, The beds in the permanent building
are supposed to be reserved for cases of small-pox. The 143 beds in the