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The Accommodation was not stated; presumably it was the same as the
two previous years. During 1917-18 the greatest number of patients resident
on one day was 31; that is 130 below the normal accommodation; the smallest
number was nine. The patients admitted from other districts appear to have
been four, viz.: One of diphtheria and three of enteric fever, or 2.1 per cent.
of all admissions. It was 0.81 in 1916-17. No case of cerebro-spinal fever
was treated.
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 one assistant matron, three sisters (one for night duty), three staff
nurses, seven probationers and two ward maids; in 1917-18 the resident staff
numbered 34 and the outdoor staff 4, compared with 31 and 4 the year before.
Eight nurses were inoculated against Enteric Fever. None of the staff contracted
scarlet fever, diphtheria or enteric fever.
Treatment of Diphtheria. The Superintendent states that "Antidiphtheritic
serum was used in all cases where none, or an insufficient quantity
had been administered previous to admission. In most cases 4,000 units
was given, but some received as much as 32,000 units. Drugs were rarely
used, and then only for complications."
Enteric Fever. Widal's test was made in all cases.
Return Cases. During the year 1918, there have been 4 such of scarlet
fever and one of diphtheria. Dr. Cook estimates the percentage of return
cases of scarlet fever during 1917-18 as 1.11, compared with 2.28 for the
previous period.
Council's Representatives. On November 23rd, Mr. W. D. Cornish
was appointed on the Judith Alston Charity, subject to him agreeing to submit
a report to the Council. This proviso, suggested by Councillor Middleton and
passed unanimously, I entirely agree with. It should be made to apply to our
representatives on every outside body. I have, in earlier reports, drawn
attention to this point, especially in regard to the Joint Isolation Hospital
Boards at Winchmore Hill and South Minims.
Supervision. By order of the Local Government Board, 29th July, 1910,
one of the duties of the County Medical Officer of Health is stated to be that
"He shall from time to time enquire into and report upon the isolation
hospitals in his County."
Transport. This continues on the old-fashioned lines by the Council's
horsedrawn vehicle. As I have been saying for the past 13 years, the proper
and prompt method is by motor transport from our hospital. That is the
method of the Metropolitan Asylums Board and of our own Small-pox
Hospital Board. The horse-ambulance for non-infectious cases, late in charge
of Mr. Middleton, was taken over by our Fire Brigade on 20th July, 1917, and
has been much appreciated by those meeting with accidents or desiring
removal to London Hospitals.