Mexborough and Swinton Times May 22, 1936

Conisbrough Hospital
Decline in Number of Patients

At the monthly meeting of Doncaster and Mexborough Joint Hospital Board, at the isolation Hospital, Conisbrough, on Wednesday, Mr L. S. Howden was re-elected chairman.

Presenting his medical report for April, Dr W. J. McClair (medical superintendent) said that at the beginning of April there were 111 patients under treatment at the hospital, of whom 83 were suffering from scarlet fever, 27 from diphtheria and one from cerebrospinal fever.

During the month 54 cases were admitted including 32 scarlet fever, 19 diphtheria and two cerebrospinal fever. 70 cases were discharged, including 57 scarlet fever cases, 20 diphtheria and two cerebrospinal fever.

Two patients died from diphtheria and another patient died from cerebrospinal fever.

At the end of the month there remained in hospital, 58 scarlet fever in 24 diphtheria patients. Dr McClure pointed out that there had been a marked decrease in the numbers admitted, both as regards scarlet fever and diphtheria.

A long discussion took place on whether to retain the water tower at the hospital or to have a different and more direct supply through the mains. It was decided to obtain information from the Doncaster and Tickhill joint water board.

A suggestion was received from Mr G. Brocklesby (chief financial officer to the Conisborough Urban Council) that in the future contributions by local authorities to the board should be based on annual estimates of population according to the methods adopted by the registrar general, and not on the census figures. It was pointed out that at the recent conference of the constituent authorities on the question of the basis of contributions it was definitely laid down that the board should rely on the population according to the census figures.