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33
It will be noticed that the incidence rate in the various Wards is very
similar and an improvement on previous years. St. James Street Ward in
1900 had a rate of 9 compared with 1.31 in 1903. High Street has a
slightly lower rate than the previous years. Hoe Street and Wood Street
have a higher rate, while the Northern Ward is exactly the same rate as
in 1902.
What influence the Sanatorium has had in the general improvement
is difficult to determine, but the fact remains this year's Diphtheria rate
per 1,000 of the inhabitants is the lowest on record, and the improvement
has been consistent since the Hospital was opened.
ISOLATION ACCOMMODATION
The arrangements made in 1902, that one pavilion of 14 beds be
reserved for patients suffering from diphtheria and croup, were continued
and proved sufficient.
Every case of diphtheria desirous of removal was admitted, but no
pressure was exercised to get all cases to the Sanatorium.
There is every indication that, as parents realise the benefits of
hospital isolation, many more will take advantage of the protection
offered, and the time is not far off when all patients suffering from such
a dangerous infectious disease will be treated in hospital.
Had all the cases during the year been so treated, 25 beds, instead of
14, would be requisite, and this in a year of comparative immunity.
Seventy-eight, or a little over 50 per cent. of the cases notified, were
treated at the Sanatorium, and 13 deaths were registered, equal to a
case-rate of nearly 17 per 100.
This rate is higher than for the district generally, and may be
accounted for by the very worst cases being always sent to Hospital.
Especially is this so in cases of croup, two being practically moribund
on arrival.
Added to this some cases, who declined to be removed at first,
subsequently went, when their chances of recovery were less.
The accommodation for scarlatina patients desirous of hospital
treatment was quite inadequate, and many had to be refused admission.
The greater desire of parents to have their children treated at hospital
for scarlatina compared with diphtheria is due no doubt, to the longer
quarantine apparently required in the former disease, although actually
diphtheria patients are sometimes infectious for much longer periods
than are scarlatinal.
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