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Scarlet Fever.
The number of cases notified as scarlet fever, which were
admitted during the year, was 738. In 36 of these, or 4.87 per
cent., the diagnosis was changed after admission. In 13 other
cases the diagnosis remained uncertain ; they showed no definite
signs of the disease on admission or afterwards, and suffered no
complications. One of these developed scarlet fever in the wards.
A relapse occurred during the 3rd and 4th weeks of illness in 9
cases in which the original diagnosis had been confirmed.
Sixty-six cases were in residence at the beginning of the
year, making a total of 768 cases under treatment. Of these, 693
were discharged, 4 died, and 71 remained under treatment at the
end of the year.

The average duration of illness on admission was 4.19 days.
In 50 per cent. of the cases a scarlatiniform rash was present
on the day of admission, but 23 per cent. of these did not show any
definite desquamation afterwards. In 10 per cent. of the admissions
no rash or desquamation was detected.
Corrected diagnosis:—The 36 cases. in which the diagnosis
was amended after admission, were found to be suffering from the
following complaints:—Rubella 3. toxic rash 8, cervical adenitis 1,
alveolar abscess, 1, paratyphoid B. 1, chickenpox 2, measles 2,
tonsillitis 10, gastro-enteritis 1, dentition rash 1, broncho pneumonia
1, impetigo 1, whooping cough 1, diphtheria 3.
Four cases admitted as diphtheria proved to be suffering from
scarlet fever.
Fatality rate:—Of the four cases which proved fatal, a boy
aged five years suffered from toxic scarlet fever and did not
respond to antitoxin treatment. A girl aged two years developed
broncho pneumonia and empyema. A boy aged four years
developed endocaritis and pericarditis. A boy aged 11 years died
from acute nephritis and uraemia. The fatalitv rate was 0.57.
Mixed infections:—In 38 cases the disease was complicated
by a second infection, as follows:—
Scarlet fever with faucial diphtheria 9 cases
,, ,, ,, nasal diphtheria 17 ,,
,, ,, ,, chicken-pox 7 ,,
,, ,, ,, whooping cough 3 ,,
,, ,, ,, measles 2 ,,
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