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44
It will be noticed that every ward is satisfactory in comparison with
previous years except the High Street, which has more than double its
rate. The only reason I can assign for the prevalence of Diphtheria in
this ward is the free inter-communication of children permissible in the
" flat " system of housing prevailing there.
Of the 120 cases admitted to the Sanatorium 43 were under five years
of age; and realizing what a large part school attendance plays in the
spread of Diphtheria, as shown by Sir Shirley Murphy, a wise precaution
would be exercised in excluding every child of this age from school.
ISOLATION ACCOMMODATION.
Diphtheria.—The arrangements of 1902 and 1903 prevailed this
year. One pavilion of 14 beds was reserved for Diphtheria and sufficed,
owing to the fact that only half the notified cases were removed to the
Hospital.
No pressure was exercised to bring patients to the Sanatorium,
believing as we do that parents are becoming daily more sensible of the
benefits of isolation accommodation, and that in a short time, with the
co-operation of the medical men and a little suasion, every case of
Diphtheria will go to Hospital.
Had all the cases gone to the Sanatorium, our accommodation would
have been quite inadequate.
Scarlet Fever.—As it was in 1903 so this year, the accommodation
for Scarlatina patients was quite insufficient, and many complaints
were the result.
Why parents are more anxious to have their children removed to
Hospital for Scarlatina than Diphtheria has already been explained, but
the consideration influencing them is not what should guide sanitary
authorities in this respect, and we await the result of more knowledge
and experience for a change for the better.
Of the 527 cases notified, 208 were removed to the Sanatorium, 8 to
Metropolitan Asylums Board Hospitals, and 5 to the Liverpool Road
Hospital. Those sent to the Metropolitan Asylums Board and Liverpool
Road Hospitals were not at the expense of your Authority.
In last year's report I expressed a hope that by this time the proposed
extensions would be completed. Unfortunately such is not the case,
but I am pleased to record that the work has now been started, and the
buildings will be completed about September, 1905.
We shall then have not only ample accommodation for present needs,
but a hospital second to none in the kingdom.