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49
It is stated that the monthly admissions of scarlet fever
cases were highest in the month of January, being 589. This was
"unusual, and was probably owing to the influence and continuance
of the epidemic of 1887. To that cause may also be
attributed the comparatively slight autumnal increase of the
disease."
The regularity of the rise and fall of scarlet fever is clearly
defined in a chart, from which it appears that during the 17
years (1872-88) the admissions fell to the minimum four times in
February, four times in March, five times in April, twice in
June, once in September and (in 1888) in December, while the
maximum number was attained once in January (1888), once in
July, three times in September, seven times in October, three
times in November, and twice in December. In October, 1887,
an unprecedented rise to 1,272 admissions occurred ; the next
highest total (420) was in September, 1888 ; the next (300)
in October, 1886. It must not be forgotten that the Hospitals
have been growing in public favour of late years, and that some
portion of the increase in the number of admissions is due to
that fact. Still, after all is said, the epidemic of 1887-8 was
remarkable, and not less for the smallness of the mortality than
for the rise in the number of cases, which, commencing in July,
culminated in October, thence declining until May and June,
1888.
In considering the statistics in the Committee's Report showing
the admissions to hospitals from the several parishes
and unions, it must be remembered that the number of cases
sent to hospitals from different districts should not be
regarded as an absolute standard of the relative prevalence of
disease in them; owing, among other reasons, as the Statistical
Committee rightly say, "to the great difference in the number
of population," and "also to the different practices adopted
with regard to the proportion of patients making use of the
Managers' Hospitals or being treated elsewhere." In Kensing-
E