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33
It is suggested that these cases are due to patients
being continually re-infected while in the Hospital by other patients
in the acute stage of the disease. Whether this is a fact it is
impossible to definitely say. Every patient before leaving is well
examined for desquamation, ear and nose discharges, and not sent
out before all these have ceased, and not even then before
thorough disinfection.
In consequence of Measles and Chicken Pox existing in houses
where Scarlatina occurred, some cases could not be removed, but had
to be isolated at home. Periodical weekly visits were then made by
the Sanitary Inspectors for the purpose of ensuring isolation, with
the result that in houses where a special room was provided for the
patient, and ordinary common sense precautions taken, no second
cases occurred.
New Beckton Schools were closed from 27th September to
17th October owing to an outbreak of this disease.
The following table shows the number of cases for five years,
1900-4, aud Ward comparisons:—