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cases (whooping cough and chickenpox) no further cases occurred, but
in the other two instances, 2 cases of rubella (German measles) and
3 of chickenpox followed. Prompt measures, such as isolation of
the infected cases, segregation of susceptibles, and quarantine, were
undertaken, but the harm has usually been done before these
measures can be put into operation. Strict enquiries are always
made as to possible contact with further infection at the time of
admittance to hospital, but too often the parents themselves are
unaware of this possibility, the children having been exposed at
school and shown no symptoms.
One child was admitted to the diphtheria ward certified diphtheria
and later desquamated. All the children in that ward who
had not previously suffered from scarlet fever were given a protective
dose of 2.5 c.c. anti-scarlatinal serum. No further cases
occurred.
Visiting.—The arrangements for visiting patients remain
unaltered and are working satisfactorily.
Before the appointment of the additional porter it was found
necessary to have an extra man on duty at the hospital on Sunday
afternoons during the visiting hour, owing to the abnormally large
number of visitors attending. This practice has now been
discontinued.
Transfers to and from Other Hospitals.—Fourteen patients
and eight members of the staff were admitted from the Prince of
Wales's Hospital during the year, and three from the North
Middlesex County Hospital. Four patients were transferred after
the expiry of infection to the North Middlesex County Hospital for
surgical treatment, and one to the Prince of Wales's Hospital for
the same purpose. One nurse was admitted with scarlet fever from
Grovelands Hospital of Recovery.
The North Middlesex County Hospital invariably receives any
non-infectious patients requiring operative or other surgical treatment
very willingly, and I would like to take this opportunity of
thanking the Medical Superintendent for his many courtesies.
General Remarks.—The youngest patient treated during the
year was a child of three months suffering from whooping cough and
broncho -pneumonia.
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