View report page

29
may have resulted from the housekeeper's wilful infraction of
the law: it is certain that at an epidemic period such an
exposure might have led to a wide diffusion of small-pox.
WESTERN DISTRICT (LATE FULHAM) HOSPITAL.
No case of small-pox was admitted into this hospital in
1883, but the use of it for cases of fever was continued
throughout the year. From the report of Mr. Sweeting,
the Medical Superintendent, we learn that on December
31, 1882, there remained 101 patients: during 1883, 236
were admitted, 273 discharged, and 21 died, leaving 43 under
treatment at its close. Of the admissions 197 were of scarlet
fever, 18 of enteric fever, 13 of typhus fever, and 8 of other
diseases. Of the 21 deaths, 15 were from scarlet fever, 2
from intercurrent measles in scarlet fever cases, 3 from
enteric fever, and one from inflammation of the kidneys.
The mortality from scarlet fever was 6'7 per cent, and from
enteric fever, 14.6 per cent. Kensington contributed the
largest number of cases; 44 per cent. of the whole number,
Fulham coming next with 30 per cent. Of the scarlet fever
cases, 58 per cent were under 10 years of age. The
mortality, greater amongst males than females, was heaviest
in those under five years of age. No deaths from typhus
fever occurred; 5 cases only were treated; the remaining
cases were transferred to another hospital. The average
duration of stay in the hospital of scarlet fever cases, was
78 days, and of enteric fever cases, 72 days. During the
year 34 patients were placed upon the visiting list, of whom
21 died. They were visited by 78 visitors, who paid altogether
258 visits. It is to be presumed that the visitors escaped
infection, as not one of them was subsequently admitted
with fever.
The Fulham Hospital Case.—The litigation in this
case has been terminated by a compromise, a sum of money
having been paid to the plaintiffs. The Deed of