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70
ENTERIC (TYPHOID) FEVER.
18 cases notified as suffering from this disease were admitted
for treatment, and two deaths occurred. Two of the cases were
found to be suffering from other diseases, viz., Acute Tuberculosis
and Meningitis. One of the fatal cases was that of a LanceCorporal,
who was wounded at the battle of the Aisne, and eventually
developed Enteric Fever.
PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.
Sixty-two cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were admitted
during the year, and with 11 cases remaining from the previous
year, there was a total of 72 cases treated in all. Three deaths
occurred. All the cases admitted were either insured persons or
dependants, sent in by the Essex Insurance Committee.
Five of the patients occupied a shelter each, but both for the
patients and the nursing staff this is most unsatisfactory. In
bad weather it is impossible to keep the shelter dry, and during
the severe storms of the last few months the wind was so violent
as to blow off the roofs of two shelters while the patients were in
bed. If patients suffering from this disease are to be treated at
the Hospital it will be necessary to put up a permanent building.
In my last year's report I suggested that a pavilion of 24 beds
might be erected at small cost to the Authority, suitable for treatment
of these cases.
The Treasury would probably make a grant of three-fifths of
the total cost, under the provisions of the National Insurance Act.
A suitable block could be erected at a cost of £90 per bed.
CUBICLE BLOCK.
64 cases were treated in the Cubicles. Two deaths occurred and
in both cases the patients suffered from the double infection of
Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever.
The cases treated in this block are doubtful ones, or patients
with double infection. It is most rare now to have cases of "cross
infection" in the other wards, as in any case of doubt the patient
is admitted to the Cubicles until the diagnosis is determined.