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Discharge Procedure.—The discharge procedure detailed in
the Report for 1933 has remained unaltered, with the addition
noted in last year's Annual Report.
Period of Isolation in Hospital.—The average period of
isolation in hospital was as follows:—
Scarlet Fever.—22.6 days (longest, 52 days—otorrhoea;
shortest, 12 days—admitted after acute stage of disease had
terminated).
Average duration, 1935—25.6 days.
Diphtheria.—59.6 days (longest, 125 days—various
paralyses ; shortest, 25 hours—died).
Average duration, 1935—56.8 days.
It is interesting to note that the average period of isolation
for scarlet fever patients has decreased from 35.4 days in 1934, to
22.6 days during last year. This is directly attributable to the
serum administration treatment. It is particularly pleasing to be
able to report that the decrease in the detention period has not
been accompanied by any untoward effects. Indeed, rather the
reverse has held, while the return-case rate has actually
diminished.
Staff.-(a) Illness.—The following illnesses occurred among the
Staff during the past year:—
Erysipelas, Rhinorrhoea and Tonsillitis
(Nurse) 1
Diphtheria (Nurse) 1
Influenza (Nurse) 1
Fracture of Toe (Maid) 1
It will be seen that the health of the staff was satisfactory, the
number of nurses and maids requiring to be warded during the
year being minimal. The nurse who contracted diphtheria was not
a member of the permanent staff, being merely a temporary addition
during a particularly busy period. She was thus not able to
obtain the protection against diphtheria which our own nurses are
afforded.
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