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38
SECTION F.
PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS
DISEASE.
Scarlet Fever.
During the year, 226 cases of Scarlet Fever, yielding a case
rate of 2.9 per 1,000 of the population, were notified. The corresponding
rate in England and Wales being 2.41.
The rates in this District in the years 1937, 1936, 1935, 1934
and 1933 were 3.8, 3.6, 3.5, 4.3 and 5.4.
Of the total number of cases, 164 were admitted to the Romford
Isolation Hospital. Most of the cases were mild in character. Antiscarlet
serum is administered in the Romford Isolation Hospital to
oases 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
a.nd it is now the practice for uncomplicated cases to be detained in
hospital for a period of 4 weeks.
There were no fatal cases.
Diphtheria.
The number of cases of Diphtheria notified was 45 yielding a
rate of 0.59 per 1,000 of the population, the case rate for England
and Wales being 1.58. In the years 1937, 1936, 1935, 1934 and
1933, the case rates in this District were 0.70, 1.4, 1.9, 3.02 and 0.9.

Terminal Disinfection.
The practice of routine fumigation of the sick room by formalin
or sulphur dioxide vapour after the removal to hospital of the patient
or at the termination of the illness if treated at home, was discontinued
by resolution of the Council on the 18th May, 1937.
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.