[Report 1907] / Medical Officer of Health, Heaton Norris U.D.C.

  • Heaton Norris (Greater Manchester). Urban District Council.
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1907] / Medical Officer of Health, Heaton Norris U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Influenza commenced at the close of 1906, and there were many cases. The epidemic gradually abated, but in March there was a recrudescence of a rather severe type pro- ducing Pneumonia and marked debility. Many of the cases of feverish colds and catarrhs were doubtless of influenzal origin. In dealing with infectious cases we send to hospital such cases as cannot be properly isolated at home. During the year we sent, as table III shows, 10 cases of Scarlet Fever out of 40 reported, and 1 case of Diphtheria. We keep our Scarlet Fever cases in hospital until all peeling has ceased. This is a wise precaution as it is not yet proved that peeling is harmless as a carrier of infection, as some hospital superintendents seem to think. The precaution is expensive. Nine of the Scarlet Fever cases and the Diphtheia case cost about £130 over and above the annual retaining fee. As to cases retained at home, we are strict in requiring rigid isolation, and we disinfect premises thoroughly. We send bedding to be stoved. This costs us a guinea a case. The average period of detention in hospital was 7 weeks for each case. I am pleased to say that our Small-Pox Hospital con- tinues to be unoccupied. At the time of the scare, five years ago, an excellent hospital was erected, and it has been kept, ever since, in a condition suitable for immediate occupation should it be required. Happily it has not been required. It seems a pity that this well equipped hospital cannot be utilised in some way. Suggestions have been made in connection with such institutions, but none were of a practical