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at the end of 1936. The type of disease was, on the whole, mild,
but a number of severe cases occurred, including a case of haemolytic
streptococcal septicaemia in a man of 21 years, resulting in
widespread pyaemic abscesses, necessitating numerous incisions
and prolonged drainage. He was transferred to the Memorial
Hospital for the treatment of residual muscular weakness, etc.,
after a stay in Hospital of 69 days.
The wide use of serum, the Dick test and immunisation
against diphtheria were continued as in previous years.
Of a series of 272 cases treated in the scarlet fever wards
with antiscarlatinal serum:—
84.5% were discharged in four weeks.
5.9% were discharged in five weeks.
9.6% were discharged in from five to nine weeks.
Complications for the series totalled 42 cases or 15.5%, this
figure including such conditions as septic fingers, blepharitis, and
other minor conditions not directly associated with scarlet fever.
The main complications were:—
Otorrhoea 2.9%
Mastoiditis (followed by operation) 0.7%
Endocarditis 1.9%
Albuminuria 1.5%
Rhinorrhoea 0.8%
Adenitis 1.5%
Other complications 6.2%
In one case, where double mastoidectomy was performed,
prontosil was used with good effect; the temperature, which had
remained high 12 days after the operation, falling to normal in
24 hours.
A good deal of research is going on as to the value of prontosil
in the treatment of scarlet fever, but no reliable results are
yet to hand.
Bronchopneumonia.
Sixty-six cases were admitted during the year. Of these, 29
followed measles, four following whooping-cough, 19 followed