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The ward distribution was as follows:—
1936. 1937.
South Ward 18 20
Middle Ward 22 15
North-West Ward 18 12
North-East Ward 16 14
16 cases were removed to the Isolation Hospital, representing
75.4 per cent, of the total number of cases notified.
Two "secondary" cases occurred in houses from which previous
cases had been notified. In each instance the primary casa
had been removed to hosipital. For the second year in succession,
no "return" cases were reported. Three of the cases occurring
during the yeai' were "imported."
The position with regard to scarlet fever is still far from
satisfactory. The type of disease met with is certainly mild, a fact
clearly evidenced when it is remembered that no deaths have
occurred for many years past. The total number of cases recorded
is also so small that, taking both these facts into consideration,
scarlet fever as we now know it has not been a disease of any major
significance in Southgate for some considerable time. But this ia
only one side of the picture. The disease labelled "scarlet fever"
is merely one manifestation of the effects of the ubiquitous streptococcus
pyogenes, of which at least more than twenty separate strains
have already been isolated. Depending upon the general condition
of the person infected, i.e., the host, and also upon the particular
reaction of that person's epidermis, this parasite may cause conditions
typified by swollen, engorged tonsils (Acute Tonsillitis), a
diffuse rash appearing on the trunk and limbs (Scarlet Fever), a.
well-defined area of inflammation, commonly seen on the face
(Erysipelas), or inflammation of the deeper tissues (Cellulitis). It
should be emphasized that these diseases are all caused by the same
organism, andJ that, so far as we are aware, each is of an infectious
character. In addition, from the aggregate available evidence, it
has been definitely proved that any one of these diseases may produce,
in a contact, any of the remainder. Yet what is the
position 1 The particular group of infections in which a generalised
rash is apparent is labelled "scarlet fever," and is placed
among the notifiable infectious diseases. Another group is
labelled "erysipelas," and is also classified as an acute infectious
disease. A person suffering from either of these infections is dealt
with by the complicated machinery at present at our disposal, and
may lie either isolated at home or removed to an Isolation Hospital.
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