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37
During 1918-19 the greatest number of patients resident on one day was
66, that is 97 below the normal accommodation; the smallest number was
eight. The patients admitted from other districts appear to have been 11,
viz., 4 scarlet fever and 7 diphtheria, or 3.9 per cent, of all admissions; it
was 2.1 in 1917-18. 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, four sisters (one for night duty), four staff nurses,
five probationers, and three ward-maids. In 1918-19 the resident staff
numbered 38 and the outdoor staff four, compared with 34 and four the year
before. Three of the staff contracted scarlet fever.
Treatment of Diphtheria.—The Superintendent again 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
were 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 1919 there have been 33 such of scarlet
fever and 1 of diphtheria. Dr. Cook estimates the percentage of return cases
of scarlet fever during 1918-19 as 4.76, compared with 1.11 for the previous
period.
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."
In April, Mr. W. A. Cull was appointed for three years to the Joint Board,
vice Mr. Cornish. On the 28th March the Board wrote the Council that The
Board at their meeting yesterday decided to set apart one of the blocks at their
Hospital for the reception of cases of malaria, dysentery, trench fever, and
such cases of pneumonia as are contemplated on Page 5 of the memorandum of
the Local Government Board, dated January, 1919, on the understanding
that each case is recommended by the Medical Officer of Health of one of the
constituent districts.''
On the 15th May the Enfield Council wrote declining to arrange for a
conference with my Council with the object of urging the Joint Hospital Board
to admit measles cases, and remarking that our representatives could bring
the matter before the Joint Hospital Board, if they thought fit, or were requested
by my Council to do so.