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9
As compared with the figures for 1926 there were more cases of diphtheria
and erysipelas, whilst cases of scarlet fever and ophthalmia neonatorum show a
decrease.
ISOLATION OF INFECTIOUS CASES.
The hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board receive cases of smallpox,
scarlet fever, diphtheria and membranous croup, enteric, typhus, and continued
fevers, relapsing fever, anterior polio-myelitis, encephalitis lethargica, cerebro-spinal
fever, puerperal fever and pyrexia, malaria and dysentery, and in some instances cases
of measles and whooping cough.
During July an intimation was received from the Board to the effect that owing
to the decrease in the severity of scarlet fever and the increase in that of measles, it
had been decided in regard to applications for admission in the Board's Hospitals to
depart from the established practice of always giving priority to cases of the former
disease.
Under the new arrangement the Medical Officer of Health is asked when notice
of a shortage of beds has been given by the Board, to obtain full particulars from the
medical practitioner in attendance, and to recommend for admission those cases
whether scarlet fever or measles which would in his opinion derive most benefit.
The cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever, enteric fever, puerperal fever, puerperal
pyrexia, cerebro-spinal fever, polio-myelitis and encephalitis lethargica, certified
numbered 906 and the number removed to hospital was 883 or 97-5 per cent.
Almost all the cases removed went into the hospitals of the Board.
RETURN CASE.
The following was noted during the year.
A boy, aged 6 years, was removed to hospital with scarlet fever on 23rd March,
and was discharged on 11th June. Five days later his sister, aged 3, developed scarlet
fever and was removed to hospital.
SMALLPOX.
On 26th May a child, aged 14 months, was removed for observation after consultation
with Dr. Wanklyn, and on the following day information was received
that the diagnosis of smallpox had been confirmed. Four days later, however, this
diagnosis was revised and a final decision was reached that the case was not one of
smallpox. A large number of persons were kept under observation as contacts until
final decision was received