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It seems to have been fairly universally distributed, although a
greater number of cases were notified in the Cann Hall Ward, than
in any of the other Wards of the district.
Now that accommodation for cases of this disease is provided in
the New Isolation Hospital, I hope that every advantage will be taken
by parents availing themselves of such a means of isolation, and of
checking the spread of this serious disease.
ISOLATION HOSPITAL.
Accommodation has been provided during the whole of the year
for the treatment of Scarlet Fever, and in the new Isolation Hospital
we were enabled to devote a ward to the treatment of Diphtheria.
As the past year has been somewhat eventful as regards Hospital
accommodation, I propose giving a history of the various means we
have had at our disposal for the past six years in combating with
Infectious Diseases in our district.
Before February, 1890. when the Infectious Diseases (Notification)
Act came into force, no statistics of the occurrence of Infectious
Diseases can be given, but in—
Oct. 1889.—In consequence of Scarlet Fever assuming epidemic proportions,
I strongly recommended the opening of a
temporary Cottage Hospital, and a building at Ruckholts
(on the site of the present Board School) was opened in
November, and 5 of the most urgent cases were treated
therein.
1890.—The Act above-mentioned now became of great service in
enabling us to gauge with accuracy the amount of
Infectious Disease in our district.
The Temporary Cottage Hospital continued to be
of considerable service, and 18 cases of Scarlet Fever
were treated during the year. There was no actual
epidemic of this disease, although 250 cases occurred.
1891.—As the site of the building now in use was required, it was
found necessary to shift the quarters, but from March
to November no suitable building could be found. In
the latter month the residence on the Sewage Works
Estate was fitted up with nine beds, for the reception of
Scarlet Fever patients, and 3 cases were admitted at the
end of the year.
1892.—The accommodation thus provided was available during the
whole year, and it was found necessary to increase the
number of beds to 15.