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Unfortunately, the work of the Hospital continued to be impeded
during the year by a continuation of the Scarlet Fever outbreak
which began in the autumn of 1931.
Dr. Griffiths and Dr. Scott of the Ministry of Health Laboratory
very kindly continued to examine the many swabs which were sent,
and when possible, reported on the type of Haemolytic Streptococci
found.
During January a case of Diphtheria was notified and on visiting
the Hospital the same day a virulent nasal carrier was found and
also removed to Hospital. This series of cases ended in February
but another outbreak occurred at the end of April.
The Committee then (at the end of April) decided to close the
Hospital (except for 5 patients who could not easily be sent home
and who were placed in the Annexe). Complete disinfection and
re-decoration was carried'out. In July a series of cases of tonsillitis
occurred, due to Haemolytic streptococci of the "Franklin" type
which rarely produces a rash. In addition, every case showed the
presence of Diphtheria bacilli as well, although none of the cases
showed any evidence of Clinical Diphtheria. Each patient showed
a quick recovery after removal to the Isolation Hospital.
It was then decided to press for parental consent for immunisation
against Diphtheria and the work was begun in July with
excellent results, inasmuch as every Schick positive patient, after
the usual course of injections, gave a negative reaction. One
further case of Diphtheria occurred in September, but this patient
was the only one in the Hospital whose parents had refused protection.
Miss Theobald, C.S.M.M.G., has kindly summarised the admissions
and the operations done during 1932, as follows:—
Admissions (Walthamstow cases only):—
Under 5 years of age 13
5 years and over 15
Total 28
Number of patients already in Hospital on January 1st,
1932 5