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Case 1.— The child had been ill at home for a week prior to
admission to hospital.
Case 2.— This patient developed a severe attack of acute rheu
matic fever just as he was about to be discharged from hospital.
During the acute stage of the rheumatic infection— i.e., at the
very time when his weakened heart required rest— he became
violently maniacal and succumbed to heart failure caused by
excessive exertion during a maniacal outburst.
Case 3.— This child was treated at home for 8 days, as there
was no accommodation in hospital at the time. I saw her at home
when her case was notified, and the home conditions appeared to
be satisfactory for home treatment.
Case 4.— This boy was transferred from another hospital in a
seriously ill condition. Bacteriological examination of the cerebrospinal
fluid revealed evidence of meningitis of a type which is
invariably fatal.
BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT.
Open-air Balconies.— The open-air balconies, erected during
1932, proved of great value in hastening the recovery of patients
suffering from scarlet fever and diphtheria. The climatic conditions
during the summer of 1933 were exceptionally favourable, and the
patients were able to derive undoubted benefit from the facilities
for exposure to fresh air and sunshine.
In order to protect patients from sudden rain or from the
scorching rays of the mid-day sun, canvas awnings were erected
over the balconies attached to the scarlet fever wards.
Operating Theatre.— The operating theatre, erected during
the previous year, allowed surgical emergencies to be dealt with
in accordance with modern ideas on surgical asepsis.
Sanitary Annexes.— In July the Council decided to erect
five new sanitary annexes to replace the existing annexes, which
were found to be inadequate and unsatisfactory. During the
summer months it was possible to erect three of the five new
annexes ; but the high incidence of scarlet fever during the year
has prevented the work from being finished in the two scarlet
fever wards.