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63
Duration of Stay in Hospital.
(1) Scarlet Fever.
The average length of detention of scarlet fever patients shows a slight increase this year,
but the figure is considerably lower than it was a few years ago. The minimum period of stay in
hospital is 28 days from the onset of the illness, and 289 patients out of a total of 375, or 77.0 per
cent., were discharged between the 28th and the 35th day.
Average stay in hospital of scarlet fever patients, 1926-1931:—
1926-47.2. 1929—36.1.
1927—38.1. 1930—32.9.
1928—37.0. 1931—34.5.
(2) Diphtheria.
Average stay in hospital for diphtheria patients, 1928-1931:—
1928—52.8. 1930—53.3.
1929—51.7. 1931-56.2.
(3) Other Diseases.
Average stay in hospital for patients suffering from " other diseases," 1928-1931:—
1928—28.1. 1930—27.1.
1929—23.4. 1931—29.3.
Schick Test and Active Immunisation against Diphtheria.
(1) Hospital.
During 1926 a commencement was made in Schick Testing the nursing staff and immunising
those nurses who proved susceptible to diphtheria. Since that date five cases of diphtheria have
occurred, one in 1927, one in 1928, one in 1929 and two in 1930. None occurred during 1931. The
particulars regarding these cases have been given in previous Annual Reports.
The following table demonstrates the benefits derived from this method of preventive medicine—
Number of cases of diphtheria occurring amongst probationer nurses during
the first eight months of 1926 (before immunisation was carried out) ... 9
Incidence rate per annum (taking 30 as average number of probationer nurses) 45%
Number of cases of diphtheria occurring amongst probationer nurses from
1927 to 1931 inclusive (after immunisation was carried out) ... ... 5
Incidence rate per annum (taking 30 as average number of probationer nurses) 3.3%
Number of nurses Schick tested (1927 to 1931 inclusive) 160
Number of nurses giving a positive reaction 76
Percentage of nurses giving a positive reaction 47•5%
Number of nurses re-Schick tested 34
Number of nurses re-Schick tested giving a positive reaction 13
Percentage of nurses re-Schick tested giving a positive reaction 38.2%
Number of nurses who had to go off duty after an injection of toxoid
antitoxin 2
(2) Health Centre.
This clinic was made available for Willesden residents in May, 1927. The number attending
for treatment have gradually fallen off, and this year they are so small that it is hardly worth while
continuing the work.
The following are the figures for the years 1927 and 1931 respectively:—
1927 1931
Number attending for preliminary Schick Test 82 4
Number attending for Active Immunisation Injections 94 8
Hospital Buildings.
(1) Cubicles.—The two remaining cubicle pavilions each containing 10 beds were completed
during the year. They have not, however, been furnished or equipped to receive patients.
(2) A new block, containing a bacteriological laboratory, a post-mortem room, a viewing
chapel and a store was built during 1931. The laboratory was opened for work on 1st January, 1932.
(3) The heating of "E" ward was by coal fires only, and it was found that this method was
insufficient to maintain a reasonable temperature in the ward during the winter months. It was
decided to supplement the coal fires by an electric heating apparatus, and this was completed during
the summer. This ward is kept in reserve and has not been in use since the new installation was
completed. It has not been possible, therefore, to test accurately the combined heating methods,
but from a preliminary investigation it would appear that the amount of electric current consumed
is considerable.
(4) A gladiron has been installed in the laundry, and has proved to be very useful in the ironing
of large garments.