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Sanitary Inspector, the other men employed there were
inspected, and stringent measures taken to disinfect or
destroy anything the patient had been in contact with.
One other man developed suspicious symptoms a
few days after and was immediately put into quarantine
in the temporary hospital, re-vaccinated, and kept under
observation for some time, but fortunately did not contract
the disease.
This episode gave the Sanitary Officers a great deal
of work and some anxiety, as it was felt that great
danger had been incurred by the way in which this
man had exposed himself for several days with the
eruption upon him.
It was most fortunate that the arrangement with
South Minims Hospital existed, and consequently we
were able to get the case out of the district immediately.
With this class of men wandering about the country,
and the coming and going of the ubiquitous tramp, the
risk of the disease breaking out is always present.
In my last Annual Report I referred to a scheme
that had been originated with the object of purchasing
the South Minims Hospital bya combination of Middlesex
Public Authorities, and holding it as a joint hospital for
the isolation and treatment of small-pox patients from
their districts. A sufficient number of Authorities to
provide the necessary rateable value has now been
formed and application made to the Local Government
Board for their consent to the scheme.
SCARLET FEVER.
Twenty-two cases of this disease were certified. Of
these 18 were sent to the Isolation Hospital at Stanmore,
under the arrangement with the Hendon Rural
District Council. Nearly ail were of a very mild type,
and free from complications. I imagine that improved
sanitation, the placing of the patients in favourable
environment and early medical treatment has had much
to do with the diminished severity of this disease, as one
sees it at the present time. Probably improving sanitary
conditions has lessened the activity of the germs.
Speaking generally, this is I think the most difficult of
the infectious diseases in which to trace the source of
infection. This very frequently arises from the fact
that mild cases are left without medical treatment, and
not recognised by the parents as being in any way