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8
During the year 95 cases of infectious disease (excluding
Measles and Polyomyclitis and Tuberculosis) were notified.
The different diseases are thus tabulated:—
Scarlet Fever 30
Diphtheria 31
Erysipelas 28
Enteric Fever 3
Puerperal Fever 2
Polyomyclitis 1
Total 95
During the previous year 99 cases were notified—19 cases
of Diphtheria, 20 of Scarlet Fever, and 2 cases of Enteric Fever
were removed to the Isolation Hospital.
In all cases notified for removal I visit, prior to removal,
with the exception of one or two instances when immediate
removal was imperative in the interest of the Patient. In
doubtful cases of Diphtheria, swabs are, as a rule, taken from
the throats of suspected cases by their Medical Attendants,
who are supplied with sterile swabs from the Isolation Hospital
for this purpose, and the swabs sent to the Isolation Hospital.
Laboratory for cultivation and bacteriological examination by
me.
In all cases of infectious disease (and after death or removal
of a case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis), the rooms
occupied by the Patient, the bedding, &c., are disinfected by
the Sanitary Inspector, after removal to the Hospital or termination
of the case. In cases which have been treated at home,
the bedding, &c., is removed for disinfection to the Hospital
steam disinfector, but in cases removed to the Hospital promptly
it is considered sufficient to disinfect the bedding, &c., at
home; the occurrence of a second case in the house after the
prompt removal of the first case, is, in my experience, practically
nil. This practice ensures a considerable saving in the Hospital
expenses, and is, in my opinion, quite consistent with safety
to the public health.