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37
SECTION F.
PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS
DISEASE
Scarlet Fever.
During the year 279 cases of Scarlet Fever, yielding a case rate
of 3.8 per 1,000 of the population, were notified. The corresponding
rate in England and Wales being 2.33.
The rates in this District in the years 1936, 1935, 1934 and 1933
were 3.6, 3.5, 4.3 and 5.4.
Of the total number of cases 189 were admitted to the Romford
Isolation Hospital and 6 were sent to the London Fever Hospital
when accommodation was not available locally. Most of the cases
were mild in character. Anti-scarlet serum is administered in the
Romford Isolation Hospital to cases admitted early in the disease
and to all severe cases. It is considered that the use of serum cuts
short the course of the disease and it is now the practice for uncomplicated
cases to be detained in hopsital for a period of 4 weeks.
There was one fatal case, a male aged 6 years, who died of
Streptococcal meningitis.
Diphtheria.
The number of cases of Diphtheria notified was 52 yielding a
rate of 0.70 per 1,000 of the population, the case rate for England
and Wales being 0.07. In the years 1936, 1935, 1934 and 1933, the
case rates in this District were 1.4, 1.9, 3.02 and 0.9.
During the year there were 3 deaths from Diphtheria as follows :
Sex. Site Age in years.
Male Nasal 6
Female Laryngcal 4
Female Faucial 62
Terminal Disinfection.
The practice of routine fumigation by formalin or sulphur
dioxide vapour of the sick room after the removal to hospital of the
patient or at the termination of the illness if treated at home, was
discontinued after a resolution of the Council meeting on the 18th
May, 1397.
In place of the fumigation formerly carried out, the occupier of
the house is now instructed in the thorough cleansing of the room
and disinfection of infected articles.