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35
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
During the period under review there have been successive
epidemics of Measles, Whooping Cough and Chicken Pox, confined
almost exclusively to the Nursery and smaller children.
With each disease the outbreak has coincided with an epidemic
wave that has swept the whole country. Every effort was made
in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health to keep the
numbers down, by the rigid isolation of infected children, contacts
and new admissions, and the transference of several cases to
Isolation Hospital, when nursing at Aldersbrook was considered
inadvisable.
An outbreak of Diphtheria on William Morris Lodge was
checked by the rapid immunization of all the children and staff
with appropriate serum. In addition two members of the nursing
staff contracted Scarlet Fever.
DEATHS.
One death occurred in the Homes—an infant aged 8 months,
the cause of death being Meningeal complication of lobar pneumonia.
GENERAL NURSING AND DIETS.
The care and attention given to the personal hygiene of every
chilid by the Matron and her staff is reflected in the bright clean
appearance and happy disposition of the children—who were never
better cared for, clothed and fed than they are to-day. These
welcome factors must ally themselves with the ultimate object of
giving these boys and girls a real opportunity to become good and
useful citizens.
THE NURSERY.
The work in this unit continues with the same even tenor
and calculated efficiency. It is pleasing to record the happy
relationship that exists between the nurses and the infants. In
many instances there is a real "Mothering" affection for the
babies, which in my opinion is of more value and advantage to
the infants than more expert "automatic" nursing.
Seven infants were successfully vaccinated with parental
consent.