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Scarlet Fever.
The following table shows the incidence and age groups of 1(55 cases
of scarlet fever which were nursed at the hospital:—

The disease on the whole was fairly mild and some of the rashes were
of short duration. It was noted however that marked desquamation seemed
to have little connection with the degree of the rash; some cases with a
very heavy rash had little desquamation, while other cases in which the rash
disappeared in a few hours desquamated profusely. The complications noted
were as follows:—
Table No. 39.
Cervical adenitis 28
Nasal discharge 15
Ear discharge 10
Albuminuria 19
Joint pains 10
Septic fingers 5
Mastoiditis 2
Endocarditis 1
Acute nephritis 1
There was one death from scarlet fever, due to pericarditis and toxaemia.
Thirteen minor operations were performed, mostly for abscesses in the
neck and superficial mastoiditis.
In the early part of the year there was some cross infection from
cases of chickenpox which had been admitted suffering from scarlet fever
but incubating chickenpox at the same time.
About the same time there were also a few cases of cross infection from
a case of measles which was also admitted suffering in addition from scarlet
fever. In view of this, the Council gave permission for a certain amount of
measles convalescent serum to be purchased from the London Fever Hospital
and to be used if necessary for the prophylaxis of cases if a further outbreak
appeared imminent.
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