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(2) It not infrequently happens that a single case of a particular disease {e.g., Erysipelas)
may be in Hospital at one particular time. Unless a cubicle is available, the patient has to
be nursed in a ward containing several beds and cots, which is a very uneconomical procedure
from an administrative point of view.
(3) Occasionally, cases under treatment in Hospital develop a second infection.
Although these cases can be treated in an ordinary ward by bed isolation, a method which
in theory is safe, it is open to several objections.
(4) Cases are occasionally admitted to Hospital from a house in which other members
of the family have another infectious disease and the likelihood of the patient incubating
a second infection cannot be overlooked.
(5) Experience has shown that septic cases of Scarlet Fever are liable to reinfect
ordinary cases of this disease if treated in the same ward. It is advisable therefore for these
cases to be treated in cubicles.
(6) Lastly, cases of mixed infection require separate accommodation.
The present number of cubicle beds is not sufficient to deal with the various types of cases
enumerated above, particularly during an epidemic when the Hospital is full. The population of
Willesden is increasing and may in the next few years be considerably augmented by the re-arrangement
of the neighbouring districts which will take place under the provisions of the Local Government
Act, 1929. It would appear advisable therefore that steps be taken for the erection of the two cubicle
Pavilions which the Council decided upon two years ago.
The design of the Pavilion has proved quite satisfactory, and apart from a few minor alterations,,
it does not appear that it can be substantially improved upon. The following diseases have been
treated in it since it was opened without any cross infection:—Diphtheria, 11 cases, Scarlet Fever
8 cases, Tonsillitis, 8 cases, Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever, 5 cases, negative cases, 4, Scarlet Fever
(Smallpox Contact), 2 cases, Erythema, 2 cases, Measles, 2 cases and 1 case of Gastritis, Sub.acute
Pleurisy, Conjunctivitis, Quinsy, Whooping Cough, Scarlet Fever and Whooping Cough Bacilluria,
Pemphigus, Septic rash, respectively.
The covered service corridor has proved a great boon to the nursing staff, particularly during
the inclement wintry weather. The window space in this corridor is large and is sufficient to afford
ample ventilation. In fact when the windows are open it is for all practical purposes converted
into an open verandah. Each cubicle has cross ventilation to the outside air and in my opinion there
is no objection to the design from a medical point of view.