HOSPITAL FULL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1874, 7 October 1913, Page 6

HOSPITAL FULL.

ROOM FOR URGENT CASES ONLY, Dr. Hardwiok Smith, medioal direo tor of tlio Wellington Hospital. reports that tho general hospital is full at tho present time, and nono but tho most urgent and acute cases can bo admitted for treatment. ' On further inquiry being made it' was stated by the secretary (Sir. J. Coylo) that it waß nothing unusual for tho general hospital to be quito full at this timo of tho year. It was not caused through any particular malady having broken out, but to tho slightly extra strain experienced in tho spring having . filled up the vacant bods. It was, lie supposed, an indication that further accommodation in tlio general hospital was necessary, a necessity, by tho way, which had been recognised for some years past by tlie hoard. Not only in Wellington, but in all parts of tho district, a good many cases of scarlet fover had been reported during tho last two months. Indeed, Dr. Chesson attributed tho wide range of tho malady to t'lio light form of tho diseaso, which enables some people to go about without being aware of anything wrong beyond experiencing a sore throat and general seedinesß for a few days. This had beon overlooked by many, with the result that the diseaso had spread freely. Thoro aro at present about 25 cases undergoing treatment in the infectious disoasos 'hospital (mostly children), but tliese do not nearly represent the number who were, or liave been suffering, and who havo been attended to ana isolated in their own homes. There are at present fivo cases from one of the big _ sesondary sohools now being treated in the hospital. The symptoms of soarlot fevor are unmistakable* _ Tho first sign is a soro throat, whioh is accompaniod by mora or less severe headache and baokache. The glands of the neck become tender, and a rash or flushing appears on the tliroat. Subsequently tho face beoomes flushed, and a rash, appears on tho body. A peculiarity of the malady is the peeling process, which in bad cases extends to the whole of the body and faoo, and iu light cases mfty only bo noticeable on tho toes and logs. Thero is a difference of opinion as to tho stago of tho malady in which contagion is most marked, out there is a consensus of opinion that infection is given off during tho peeling period.