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of last year, a letter has been sent out to the mother of each
child on its return from Hospital. Since this practice was
begun, there have certainly been fewer return cases observed.
The following are the terms of the letter:—
"Dear Madam,
Scaelet Fever and Return Cases.
Your child is expected to return home from the Fever
Hospital very shortly. As far as the Medical Officers of
the Hospital are able, they will see that no patient is
discharged who is not free from infection, but, unfortunately,
there are no means of making sure that any one
is absolutely free from the infection of Scarlet Fever,
and it sometimes happens that persons continue to be
infectious for several weeks after they appear to be quite
well in themselves. Usually those who retain infection
for long periods have a weak throat, a running at the
nose, a soreness of the nose, or a discharge from the ear.
You are therefore requested to take the following precautions
on the return of your child:—
1. The child should sleep in a bed separate from the
other children for a fortnight, or until the discharge
has ceased;
2. He should not return to school for a fortnight, or
as long as there is any discharge from ear or nose.
3. If there is any discharge, word should be sent to
the Medical Officer of Health.
I am,
Yours faithfully,
SIDNEY DAVIES,
Medical Officer of Health.
c