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tions which are so common in scarlet fever. During the summer
months open-air treatment is carried out with exposure to natural
sunlight, and the beneficial results from this is very marked, particularly
in the case of anaemic children from over-crowded
homes.
To relieve the pressure on the beds at Plaistow Hospital the
Council have decided to extend the accommodation at this Home
to 116 beds, and it is expected that the new wards will be ready
for occupation by the beginning of next winter.
Staff Illness.
All the probationers are Schick and Dick tested on their
arrival for duty, and those found susceptible to scarlet fever or
diphtheria are immunised. During the course of immunisation
one nurse developed nasal diphtheria, and three others developed
mild attacks of faucial diphtheria. One nurse who was Schick
negative developed rhinitis, from which diphtheria bacilli were
isolated, but she recovered in 5 days without antitoxin. Two other
nurses who had received 4 immunising doses of T.A.M. developed
mild attacks of faucial diphtheria (one 4 days and the other 18
days after the last immunising dose). They both recovered without
antitoxin, and were back on duty within 3 weeks. One nurse
who was Dick positive and had received 4 immunising doses of
Dick Toxin, contracted scarlet fever 6 weeks after receiving the
last immunising dose.
During the year 96 nurses and maids were warded for varying
periods. Of these, 35 were suffering from septic throat, 22
were suffering from influenza, and 39 were off duty for short
periods with minor ailments. All recovered.
Cate Cases.
The following is a record of cases suspected to be suffering
from infectious disease which were brought direct to the Hospital
for diagnosis:—
Number sent by medical practitioners 168
Number of these admitted 62
Number brought by relatives 414
Number of these admitted 51
Number from other hospitals 45
Number of these admitted 9
Total number of cases examined 627
Total number of cases admitted 122
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