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Discharge Procedure.- The discharge procedure detailed in
the Report for 1933 has remained unaltered, with the addition noted
in the Report for 1935.
Period of Isolation in Hospital.—The average period of
isolation in hospital was as follows:
Scarlet Fever.—21.1 days (longest, 44 days; shortest, 10 days).
Average duration, 1937—23.1 days.
Diphtheria.—57.0 days (longest, 146 days; shortest, 2 days—
died). Average duration. 1937—68.5 days.
It will be seen that the average detention in the case of scarlet
fever decreased slightly, from 23.1 days to 21.1 days. In the case
of diphtheria the decrease was more marked, from 68.5 days to
57.0 days. This latter decrease is satisfactory, and it might be
noted that the period could very possibly have been reduced still
further in the light of recent improvement in technique. In
my opinion, however, this could not have been done without
jeopardising the ultimate safety of the patients concerned. The
tragedy of the child who dies from diphtheria after several weeks'
illness is much too poignant to permit of any latitude being taken.
So long as an extra week or more in bed can reduce the possibility
of serious after-effects or even of a fatal issue, it seems only logical
to continue the procedure which has proved efficacious in the past.
Staff.—(a) Illness.—The following illnesses occurred among the
Stafi during 1938:
Diphtheria "Carrier" (Nurse) 1
Tonsillitis (Nurse) 1
2
I cannot find records of any year during which only two members
of the staff were warded for reasons of illness. It would therefore
appear that the health of the staff is, at the moment, very satisfactory
.
(b) Immunisation.—Members of the staff are still being inoculated
against diphtheria and typhoid infection. I have not yet
instituted immunisation against scarlet fever, as the position has
not altered from that set out in my Annual Report for 1937.
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