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Staff.—Apart from minor ailments such as colds, etc., the
following illnesses occurred among the staff during 1934—
Scarlet Fever 3
Diphtheria 1
Diphtheria Carrier 1
Tonsillitis 3
Influenza 2
Appendicitis 2
The two cases of appendicitis were immediately removed to a
General Hospital for operative treatment, while the remainder of
the patients were treated in our own Hospital.
Apart from two of the cases of scarlet fever which occurred in
laundresses, the remaining cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria
occurred in nurses who had only just commenced their training.
Steps are taken to immunise the nursing staff against diphtheria,
scarlet fever, typhoid fever and colds, but, owing to the very heavy
calls upon their services during the year, it has not vet been possible
to complete this work.
As previously mentioned, the nursing, domestic and gardening
staff have been increased during the year. In addition, private
nurses continue to be engaged as and when required.
Courses of lectures are given to the probationer nurses as detailed
in previous Reports.
Cross Infection.—During the height of the measles epidemic
early in 1934, several cases were admitted to Hospital incubating
the disease who later developed typical signs of measles. After
considerable difficulty, protective measles serum was obtained from
the London County Council and administered to the contacts in the
wards affected. By this means only two further cases occurred,
which cases proved exceedingly mild. The use of this serum is
obviously of the greatest importance, and I am taking steps to
ensure that a further supply will be available should the need arise
again in the future.
Several cases of children with diphtheria bacilli in their noses
occurred in the scarlet fever wards, but no children developed
diphtheria and all the noses cleared up quickly on treatment.
Owing to the fact that quite a considerable number of cases
were admitted with a wrong diagnosis, children who had previously
suffered from mild scarlet fever were in several cases admitted to
the diphtheria ward. These children were removed as soon as the
error was detected, but in some cases the children had remained in
the ward for several hours. This resulted in one case of scarlet
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