London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Leyton 1936

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]

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Comparison of Hospital and Home Isolation.
The practice of different Authorities varies within the widest
possible limits with regard to the hospitalisation of notified cases
of scarlet fever. In some large cities and health resorts the rate of
hospitalisation is as high as from 98 to 100 per cent., whereas in
many rural areas and smaller towns home isolation is the rule.
In most areas, however, the extent of hospitalisation varies between
these extremes.
In Leyton, during the five years 1932-36 (excluding cases
occurring in institutions), 64.4 per cent, of patients have been removed
to hospital, and 35.6 per cent, have been treated at home.
Is there any relative increase in the risk to patients or contacts
when one or other of these methods is practised ?
Case Fatality.
During the five-year period 1932-36 the case fatality rate in
Leyton was 0.77 per cent, for hospital cases and 0.23 per cent,
for home-treated cases. Of course, the great increase in the
fatality rate is to be expected in view of the circumstances taken
into consideration in the selection of cases for admission to hospital.
Complication Incidence Rate.
In Leyton Isolation Hospital, during the three years 1934-36,
the complication percentage incidence rate was found to vary
between 30 per cent, and 51 per cent.

During the year some 109 scarlet fever patients were nursed at home, and the following complications occurred:—

Albuminuria7
Rhinitis4
Cervical adenitis4
Otitis media5
Endocarditis1
Arthritis1
Bronchitis1
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