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an outbreak of this disease which occurred during December
in a Croydon school situated on the Sanderstead border. All the
cases notified during 1958 were of the much milder Sonne form
of dysentery.
FOOD POISONING.
Only one confirmed case of food poisoning was notified
during 1958, the person affected being a mental hospital patient.
POLIOMYELITIS.
No case was notified during 1958. This was probably due to the
cold and wet summer together with the rapid expansion of the
Poliomyelitis Immunisation Scheme. By the 31st December, 1958
approximately 12,000 children under the age of 15 years in this
Urban District had received a primary course consisting of two
injections against this disease and a start had been made on giving
the third injections.
ENCEPHALITIS.
One case, a child, was notified in July as suffering from
encephalitis. He made a satisfactory recovery.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION.
One case of meningococcal infection was notified during 1958.
The patient was a child of two years who was admitted to hospital
which he is still attending as an out-patient.
MEASLES.
This most common infection is more prevalent in alternate
years and as over 1,000 cases had occurred in 1957 it was not
surprising that only 103 cases were notified in 1958. The disease was
again of a mild type and as far as it is known only one case was
admitted to hospital.
WHOOPING COUGH.
Forty-one cases of this disease were notified during 1958, this
being the lowest number of notifications received since 1946. Just
over 50% were children between the ages of 5 and 10 years. I
would like to emphasise that this disease can be very serious and
often gives rise to complications. The immunisation of all children
against it is strongly recommended and this treatment should be
commenced by at least the sixth month of life.
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