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Block VI.—Beds, 13 Diphtheria.
Block VII.—Beds, 26 Diphtheria.
Block VIII.—Beds, 14 Enteric Fever.
Block IX.—Beds, 12 Cubicles, for doubtful or mixed cases.
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"As Block I. (two beds) is seldom in use, it has been handed over to a
portion of the night staff as sleeping quarters, and being in a quiet spot, answers
admirably. At any time it can be used for the purpose for which it was
originally intended."
During 1919-20 the greatest number of patients resident on one day was
198, that is, 35 above the normal accommodation; the smallest number was
sixty-three. The patients admitted from other districts appear to have been
two, viz., 1 scarlet fever and 1 diphtheria, or 0.19 per cent. of all admissions; it
was 3.9 in 1918-19. 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 Janet McFadyen is the matron;
there are one assistant matron, four sisters (one for night duty), eight staff
nurses, 21 probationers, and six ward-maids. In 1919-20, the resident staff
numbered 64 and the outdoor staff six, compared with 38 and four the year
before. Five of the staff contracted scarlet fever and two diphtheria.
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 were given, but some received as much as 52,000 units. Drugs were
rarely used, and then only for complications."
Fourteen inoculations on guinea pigs were carried out for testing swabs
from long-standing cases.
Enteric Fever.—No cases were treated in 1919-20.
Return Cases.—During the year 1920 there have been 27 such of scarlet
fever and eight of diphtheria. These figures, especially the latter, are abnormally
high. Dr. Cook estimates the percentage of return cases of scarlet fever
during 1919-20 as 3.6, compared with 4.76 for the previous period.
Cross Infection.—There appear to be ten cases, a regrettable item.