London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Harrow 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]

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46
Period of stay.— The average length of stay of all cases was 30.1 days.
The average stay of scarlet fever cases was 31.7, the duration in
uncomplicated cases being 23.9 and of complicated cases 46.3.
Non-scarlet fever cases were detained on an average of 13.5 days.
Deaths.— Nil.
Complications.—85 cases (or 34.8 per cent.) suffered from some
complication, 25 of these having more than one complication during
the course of the illness. Adenitis occurred in 35 cases (14.3 per
cent.), otorrhœa in 27 (11.1), rhinorrhœa in 16 (6.6), abscess in
11 (4.5), albuminuria in 9 (3.7), rheumatism, secondary sore throat
and relapse in 3 each (T2 per cent.), purpura, bronchitis and
endo-carditis in one each (0.4 per cent.)
Operations.— No major operations were performed. Four minor
operations were carried out, each being the opening of an abscess.
Cross Infection.— Diphtheria developed in three cases and measles
in twelve.
Double Infection.— Two cases were suffering from whooping cough
and one was incubating measles on admission.
Serum treatment.— Serum was given in 58 cases (20 c.c.s in 19 and
10 c.c.s in 39). Reactions followed in 22 cases, four being after
20 c.c.s and 18 after 10 c.c.s. Only one case to whom serum was
given had been previously immunized against diphtheria; this
patient had a reaction following injection of 10 c.c.s of serum.
Only 24 out of the 316 cases admitted gave a history of having
been immunized against diphtheria.
Prontosil Treatment.— Prontosil was used in 58 cases and appeared
to be of value in the treatment of the complicated cases in which
it was given.
Return Cases.— Return cases occurred in 19 households, to which
the patient had returned home during the year after treatment
in hospital for scarlet fever.
Influenza.
Admissions.—Twelve patients were admitted on a diagnosis of
influenza, in ten of which the diagnosis was confirmed. The other
two patients were found to be suffering from cerebro-spinal
meningitis and abscess of the back.
Period of stay.—The average length of stay of all cases was 16-8 days;
of uncomplicated cases 10-4 days and of complicated cases 18-6 days.
Deaths.—Two deaths occurred amongst the 12 patients admitted,
one being that of the case of cerebro-spinal meningitis which proved
fatal on the second day after admission. The fatal case of influenza
had developed pneumonia.
Complications.—Five out of the 10 influenza cases had pneumonia
as a complication.