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After-care of Casus of Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever.—An investigation has
been made into the condition of eases of Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever after their
discharge from hospital, and for this purpose Miss Payne and Miss MacKenzie
have visited a considerable number of the cases which were notified in 1917
within about 3 months of their discharge from hospital. The cases visited
were children in poor circumstances, adults and other children being left.
Where the children appeared to have completely recovered no further action
was taken, but where they were suffering from weakness or ill-health steps
were taken to obtain the necessary treatment. The results of the investigation
are set out below:—
Diphtheria.
Cases notified, less revisions of diagnosis and
deaths 356
Children visited for after-care 237
Children who appeared to have recovered completely
181 (or 77 per cent.)
Children who required treatment 56 (or 23 per cent.)
Of the 56 cases needing further treatment 22 were treated at the St.
Pancras Dispensary, 18 at hospitals, and 10 by private doctors. Seven of
these were sent to convalescent homes, and the remaining 6 children were sent
away by their parents for convalescence.
In 48 cases the visitors obtained some information as to the conditions for
which treatment was required. These were as follows: -Debility 14, "chest
trouble " 10, heart trouble 4, paralysis 7, "eyes" 2, rheumatism 3, arthritis 1,
whooping cough 1, tonsils 3, nasal discharge 1, teeth 1, gastric trouble 1.
Scarlet Fever.
Cases notified, less revisions of diagnosis and
deaths 220
Children visited for after-care 150
Children who appeared to have recovered completely
124 (or 83 per cent.)
Children who required treatment 26 (or 17 per cent.)
Of the 26 cases needing further treatment 12 were treated at the St.
Pancias Dispensary (one being sent to convalescent home), 2 at hospitals, and
6 by private doctors, 3 were sent away by their parents for convalescence, and
3 were not treated.
In 20 cases the visitors obtained some information as to the conditions for
which treatment was required. These were as follewsDebility 7, ear
discharge 6, " chest trouble" 3, rheumatism 2, whooping cough 1, scabies 1.
TYPHOID FEVER.
24 cases (all civilian) were notified as suffering from typhoid fever during
1917. Of these, 7 proved not to be true cases, the number of actual cases
notified being therefore 17, equal to an incidence rate of 0.09 per 1,000 civil
population.