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63
addition, there is insufficient accommodation for the observation
of doubtful cases or the proper separation of septic
cases, and, at these times of pressure, considerable difficulty
has been experienced in effectually separating the sexes. With
the present limited accommodation, cases of typhoid fever,
complicated measles or epidemic diarrhœa cannot be
admitted.
The inadequacy of the arrangements for small-pox has
been referred to on page 47. The small building at the
Mereway, which is supposed to be reserved for small-pox>
is that which was used for ordinary infectious disease
before the new hospital was built at Whitton twelve years
ago. The two small wards could receive two patients of
each sex ; there is fair accommodation for two nurses, but
none for domestic staff, and in consequence it is extremely
undesirable, if not impossible, to use it for the purpose of
receiving cases of small-pox.
The inadequacy of the hospital accommodation for
infectious diseases generally has been reported upon to the
Council on several occasions, but the difficulties of erecting
new buildings or extending existing buildings during the
past few years and at present, are obvious.
Nelson Road Hospital.
There were 103 admissions to the Hospital during 1920,
the diagnose before admission being:—
Scarlet fever, 33; Diphtheria, 69; Small-pox, 1—103
In three cases the diagnosis of diphtheria was not
verified after observation.
Deaths. Scarlet fever, 2; Diphtheria, 4.
BACTERIOLOGICAL WORK.
Every facility is given to practitioners to send specimens
for bacteriological examination and no charge is made for
these, nor for the supply of anti-toxin in necessitous cases.