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The general death rate in the Hospitals of the
Metropolitan Asylums Board is stated in 1S95 to
have been 9.8.
Dr. Thorne Thorne in his work on diphtheria
says that the case mortality of that disease at St.
George's Hospital was 38.4 per cent.; at St. Thomas's
during three years it averaged 46.3 per cent.; and
at the Hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board
was 42.5. During the year only four cases that had
been notified were admitted from Willesden into
London Hospitals, and all proved fatal. These
statistics point to the difficulties that present themselves
in Hospitals in the treatment of this disease.
It frequently happens that cases which have not
perhaps been thought serious for some days, gradually
assume alarming symptoms, and then application
is made for the patient to be admitted to Hospital.
During the year several cases were admitted when it
was apparent at once that they could not live.
Early treatment and efficient nursing are of
the utmost importance in diphtheria.
EXPENSES.
The expenses in connection with the daily
routine of the Hospital, when the number of patients
and variety of diseases are taken into consideration,
must be heavy, a large item being the capital and
interest account. The loan for the purchase of the
land has to be repaid in 50 years; that on the
ings in 30 years; and on the furniture in ten years.