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Borough Infectious Diseases Hospital
Dr. Landon's observations are contained in the following
report upon the work of the hospital:—
During 1937 the diminished incidence of infectious disease,
noted in the two preceding years, was again in evidence. Although,
in the main, the general type of disease was mild, many severe
cases occurred, particulars of which are given below. The total
number of patients admitted was 608, compared with 657 in 1936.
The death rate from diphtheria was 3.6 per cent. as compared
with 3.4 per cent. in the preceding year. For the third year in
succession there were no deaths from scarlet fever in the Hospital.
The average daily number of patients was 52.7.
It is hoped that the coming year will see the proposed extensions
to B (cubicle) Block carried into effect. This block, which
was erected in 1909, is an extremely important part of the Hospital
accommodation, and the improved conditions will add greatly
to the convenience and comfort both of the patients and the staff.
In recent years the conception of the role of the isolation
hospital has undergone a fundamental change. Regarded previously
merely as places of isolation, they have now developed
into specialised institutions for the treatment of complicated
diseases. The physician now has at his disposal many valuable
therapeutic agents not available to his predecessors of a generation
ago, and the list is still being added to. The efficacy of the
above is reflected in the marked reduction in the mortality rates
of diphtheria, scarlet fever and other infectious diseases, as well
as in the trail of impaired health and invalidism which were once
the result of these diseases. Scarlet fever was once considered