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16
The most careful treatment of an epidemic does not
affect its prevalence ; no matter what panaceas we cry up
or down nor how many scapegoats we drive into the wilderness,
one year will produce more cases than another. Of the
conditions social or other which combine to standardise an
infection which must continue to take toll of human life until
in the course of time a new equilibrium is established, we have
no exact knowledge.
Scarlet fever:—Forty-two cases were notified. The
number notified last year was 45.
Tuberculosis:—The figures for all forms of the malady are
36. Forty-three cases were notified last year. The homes of
the notified persons were visited and instructions left with the
patients and their relatives concerningthehygienic management
of the cases.
Measles:—There were 144 cases of measles and 9 of
German measles notified during the year, as against 14 cases
of measles and 8 of German measles last year, and 39S of
measles and 7 of German measles in 1918.
THE ISOLATION HOSPITAL.
The hospital can accommodate 30 patients. It was hard
pressed during the diphtheria outbreak more especially as a
fairly large number of scarlet fever cases occurred at the same
time. The erection of another block in the near future should
be borne in mind especially in view of the fact that bad cases
of pneumonia and measles require hospital treatment.
There is also urgent need for the enlargement of the administration
block in the matter of more bedrooms, a common
room for the nurses, and better accommodation for food, linen,
etc.
The total number of cases admitted during the year was
142, viz., 107 diphtheria, 33 scarlet fever, 1 measles and 1 continued
fever.
Small Pox:—Harrow is one of the local authorities who
maintain a conjoint small pox hospital at South Mimms.
Bacteriological and chemical analyses : —
The following specimens were sent for investigation :
Throat swabs for the diphtheria bacillus 2422
Sputa for tubercle bacillus 17
Blood for malarial parasite 2
Blood for typhoid 3
Blood for anthrax 1
Smear for gonococcus 1
Waters for chemical and bacteriological analysis 1
At present the Lister institute, Chelsia Bridge, London
S.W.i., carries out this work.