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84
It is only recently that the number of beds considered adequate
for the care of the infectious sick, namely, 1 per 1,000 of the
population, has been available.
REPORT ON WORK AT THE BOROUGH
INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL, 1932.
Dr. Barker reports as follows :—
The most striking feature of the work of the hospital during
the past twelve months is the varied type of cases admitted for
treatment. It must be acknowledged that this institution has
increased its usefulness.
In view of the fact that the accommodation has for some
months during the year been taxed to its uttermost, it is perhaps
a matter for thankfulness that such an epidemic as has occurred
in the district did not take place during the period of rebuilding.
Diphtheria.
During the year, 153 patients were admitted to the hospital
as compared with 191 for the previous year. Of this number,
129 were faucial, 5 laryngeal, 19 nasal and faucial.
Sixteen patients remained under treatment at the end of the
year.
In six instances some other infectious illness was found to be
present.
Of the cases admitted for treatment, the number of deaths
was 15, giving a total death-rate for completed cases of 8.8 per
cent. as compared with 7.2 per cent. for last year.
Except in the case of three patients, two of whom died from
late diphtheritic paralysis, and one from pneumonia, death
resulted within a few hours or days of admission.
Six cases were hæmorrhagic—-a particularly fatal form of the
disease.
Many of the patients exhibited severe infection or were late
in coming under treatment.