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31
ISOLATION HOSPITAL.
The temporary hospital in Auckland Road, constructed of
corrugated iron, which has done duty for some twenty years, has
again satisfactorily fulfilled its mission during the year under
report. Owing to the adoption of an eight-hour day, and the
want of accommodation for the extra staff thereby entailed, it was
not possible at any time to accommodate the full complement of
patients, viz., 70 Scarlet Fever and 22 Diphtheria, for which the
Hospital is adapted. However, in spite of this, all the cases
which from a public health point of view, or which by reason of
the severity of the symptoms, etc., required hospital treatment,
were accommodated.
The building of extra bedrooms for the staff is contemplated.
Almost all the Scarlet Fever cases were of a mild type. A
large proportion of the Diphtheria cases were seriously ill. In
some of these the disease had existed for many days untreated,
and in others, although treated sufficiently early to save life, the
treatment did not prevent the various forms of paralysis which
result from the toxins formed in this disease. There is no doubt
that Diphtheria is a disease par excellence, which should receive
unremitting, attention at the hands of experienced doctors and
nurses, and this attention in a district like Leyton can only, except
in a minority of cases, be secured by removal to hospital. In
pursuance of this principle, during the height of the epidemic two
of the Scarlet Fever Wards were, in addition to the ordinary
Diphtheria Ward, taken over for the treatment of Diphtheria, and
a number of mild Scarlet Fever cases were treated in their homes.
This arrangement worked quite satisfactorily, except that nearly
everybody wanted their Scarlet Fever cases removed. The
Hospital has maintained its reputation, which is a very high one,
in the estimation of the inhabitants, and justly so, as under the
superintendence of the Matron the requirements and comfort of
the patients receive unremitting attention.
There is no Resident Medical Officer, but in addition to the
Medical Officer of Health, who is also the Medical Superintendent
of the Hospital, and the Assistant Medical Officer of Health, Dr.
Kennedy, a local practitioner, is paid £50 per annum to give his
services in emergencies.