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45
The total number of Diphtheria notifications during the seven
years is 480, and the average number for each year, 68 5. It will be
seen that there is a very marked reduction in the number of
Diphtheria cases, even when it is taken into account that the
large total notified last year was increased by the exceptional
occurrence of an epidemic in the Brentford Union Infirmary and
schools. It is not so satisfactory to note that in spite of the
much smaller number of cases notified, the mortality caused by
the disease was exactly doubled. Six deaths were registered during
the year as being due to Diphtheria. Three of them were children
between the ages of 1 and 5 and three between the ages of
5 and 15. Four of the deaths occurred in Mogden Hospital.
It may be noticed that in the last column of Table IV. it is
stated that six deaths from Diphtheria took place in public
institutions in the district. As a matter of fact six deaths did
occur in Mogden from this disease, but two of the patients
were Richmond residents.
Dockwell Small.Pox Hospital.
No patient was admitted during the year, but the hospital
was always maintained in an efficient state, ready at any time to
take in a case either for treatment or observation. Except when
there is a fear of an outbreak of smail.pox the existence of this
hospital is almost forgotten. But the fact that a special hospital
for the immediate isolation of any case of small.pox that may
occur is provided, equipped with a permanent resident nurse and
a physician in charge, is one on which the district can congratulate
itself. Dockwell is one of the most valuable institutions in the
place, and great credit is due to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson, the
caretaker and nurse, for the excellent condition in which it is
kept.
In October, some works of repair and renovation were undertaken,
and it seemed a good opportunity for carrying out certain
much needed structural alterations. Suggestions to that effect were
made to the Joint Hospital Committee in the form of a report