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SCARLET FEVER.
Six hundred and nineteen cases were notified, giving an attack rate of
8.17 per 1,000 of the population; 86, 51 and 110 were notified in 1918-17-16.
There were 12 deaths, giving a death-rate of 0.16 per 1,000 of the population.
No cases were notified from the Edmonton Infirmary, but one from the Epileptic
Colony. The latter is not included in the above figures. One case was doubly
notified. Secondary cases numbered 118 out of 619. Cases Nos. 433 and 434
were re-notified and sent back to hospital. There were 21 cases notified where
subsequent observation did not confirm the diagnosis; they are not included in
the above figures.
Return Cases.—See section on "Hospitals."
In my report for March I reported an epidemic of this disease after some
years' interval. During the five weeks ending 29th March there were 37 cases
in 28 houses, all of whom were removed to hospital, thus making a sudden
demand upon its accommodation. The schools mostly affected were the
National and Houndsfield Road Infants'.
For the four weeks ending 26th April there were 56 cases in 45 houses.
The outbreak had increased in numbers and area, mostly in Lower Edmonton.
During the Easter holidays all the elementary schools were thoroughly disinfected.
There was no evidence that the spread was due to milk. On the
5th May the Local Government Board asked for a special report on the outbreak
of scarlet fever from the M.O.H. For the four weeks ending 24th May there
were 51 cases in 41 houses. The type continued of a mild character, so that
a number of cases were not notified until they were in the peeling stage; this
explained somewhat the spread of the disease, which was now extending towards
Upper Edmonton. Croyland Road Infants' School was closed for 21 days
owing to measles and scarlet fever. For the five weeks ending 28th June there
were 70 cases in 52 houses, many cases being now in Upper Edmonton. There
were 6 return cases during the five weeks; this amounted to 8.5 per cent, of the
cases notified. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Joint Hospital Board
directing their attention to this fact.