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45
Dysentery.
The total number of cases of dysentery (Sonne type) in the
Borough during 1950 was 29 (including 4 adults). Of these 6 were
connected with outbreaks in a Day Nursery (vide below) and 4 were
connected with an outbreak in a Day Nursery in a neighbouring
Borough. The remaining 19 cases occurred sporadically throughout
the year, one was probably infected in the home by a brother who
suffered in a Nursery outbreak, and in one instance 4 members of
the same family were involved. In no other case was there any
evidence discovered either of a source of infection or of a spread
of the disease.
Pathological examinations were made as far as possible of all
home contacts and it has been remarkable, the friendly co-operation
that was shown by the families concerned and the extent to which
they came to rely on the Health Department for advice.
Eight of the patients were severely ill but the remainder were
mild cases. Nineteen cases were admitted to hospital.
Two outbreaks of Dysentery (Sonne type) occurred in a Nursery
for 90 children attached to an industrial concern in the Borough in
February and November respectively.
In all, 53 children were involved. Nearly all of these showed
mild symptoms of the disease and only one was really ill. The
majority of the cases were residents of neighbouring boroughs.
Neither was easily controlled and in spite of repeated examinations
and immediate exclusion of all infectious cases discovered in
that way among either staff or children, and regular disinfection of
the premises, further cases developed over a considerable period,
and the second outbreak lasted right on to the end of the year.
Whooping Cough.
There was a considerable incidence of Whooping Cough
throughout 1950 with a tendency to increase in the last few months
of the year, and I regret to have to report one death in a baby aged
5 months.
In all there were 188 cases (including 5 unnotified), no adults,
and of these 60 were regarded as mild, 81 as moderate, and 47 as