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16
Nearly all these cases have been removed from their houses within
a few hours after the receipt of the notification, and the infected rooms
have been thoroughly disinfected the same day; this prompt action
only being possible when we have a certain number of Hospital beds
at our disposal.
DIPHTHERIA.
The Diphtheria Ward has been available during the year and 30
cases have been treated.
Twenty of these have been very severe cases, two of which died.
In most instances it was found advisable to treat the patients with
the anti-diphtheritic serum, and, as far as the limited number of cases
treated can show, the injection of this anti-toxin has been most
beneficial.
In one case the symptoms, in spite of anti-toxin being injected,
became so serious that tracheotomy was performed, the patient being
ultimately discharged perfectly well.
The average time these patients were under treatment was 29 days.
The fees paid for the maintenance of patients in the Isolation
Hospital amounted to £37 9s. 6d.
I wish to point out two things in connection with our Temporary
Hospital. The first is, that the appliances needed in case of any outbreak
of fire are by no means adequate. I recommend that suitable
connections with the hydrant should be made, and the necessary
appliances obtained as soon as possible.
Not only is the building largely composed of wood, and contains
a quantity of inflammable material, but there is a large quantity of
lamp-oil used for illuminating and heating purposes, and I am strongly
of opinion that the necessary precautions should be taken as soon as
possible.
This brings me to the second point, which is, that I think it would
be a great boon to our Hospital if we could have the Electric Light
installed there. I understand that there is sufficient power wasted in
connection with the sewage works to suit the purpose; and of course
the risk to the building from fire would be minimised.