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61
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL
SUPERINTENDENT.
The Annual Report of the Statistical Committee of the
Asylums Board, has attached to it an interesting summary of
the work of the Western Hospital, prepared by Mr. Bruce, the
Medical Superintendent, from which we learn that the total
number of cases treated during the year was 1437; viz., 1242
cases admitted, and 195 already in the hospital at the beginning
of the year. Of this number 1104 were discharged and 140
died, leaving 193 under treatment at the end of the year "Of
the cases admitted, 998 were scarlet fever, 130 diphtheria,
65 enteric fever, and 49 'other diseases.' The admissions show
an increase of 145 when compared with those in 1889, and of
371 compared with those in 1888. Of the discharges, 404
were sent to their homes, and 700, or nearly two-thirds, to
other hospitals of the Board. The death-rate from scarlet
fever was 7.96 per cent., from diphtheria 21.87 per cent.,
from enteric fever 17.60 per cent., and from 'other diseases'
28.86 per cent. The combined percentage mortality in respect
of all cases was 11.26." Of scarlet fever cases 12 per cent,
more females were admitted than males; but the death-rate
was higher amongst males: 31 per cent, of the patients were
under five years of age, and 41 per cent, were between the ages
of five and ten; whilst 79 per cent, of the deaths occurred at
ages under five years. Of 28S admissions at ages above ten
only one died. Of the complications incidental to scarlet fever,
albuminuria persisting for more than a week was noted in 28.11
per cent. of the completed cases. Next in order of frequency,
were inflammation of the glands of the neck, and discharges
from the nose and ears. Acute nephritis was observed in 3.26
per cent, and rheumatism in 2.97 per cent, of the completed
cases. Diphtheria was contracted in 33 cases, at periods varying
from one to eleven weeks after admission." Cases of this disease
occurred in every scarlet fever ward save one: 25 of these cases