Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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51
Diphtheria and Diphtheria Immunisation.
For the tenth consecutive year, I am pleased to be able to
report a complete absence of this disease in the Urban District.
The County Medical Officer informs me that a total of 1,136
children resident in the area, received primary immunisation against
this disease and 586 reinforcing inoculations during 1959.
A total of 14,729 children under the age of 15 years on 31st
December, 1959, had completed a course of immunisation at some
time prior to that date.
Dysentery.
Only four cases of dysentery were notified during the year, two
being admitted to hospital. The name dysentery has a somewhat
fearsome ring to many people, and it is therefore appropriate to
point out that the type of dysentery in these four cases was of a mild
character.
Food Poisoning.
A total of thirty-eight cases were notified during the year, 36
being single cases. The remaining two cases occurred during a small
family outbreak when one death was recorded.
In four cases, the agent identified was Salmonella Newport and
in two cases Salmonella Typhimurium.
Three cases were removed to hospital and the remainder home
nursed.
The following is a copy of the annual return of Food Poisoning notifications (corrected) forwarded to the Ministry of Health.
(1) | First Quarter | 11 |
Second Quarter | 9 | |
Third Quarter | 9 | |
Fourth Quarter | 9 | |
38 | ||
(2) | Cases otherwise ascertained | 1 |
(3) | Symptomless Excreters | 1 |
(4) | Fatal Cases | 1 |
(5) | Particulars of Outbreaks: | |
No. of cases notified | 2 | |
No. of cases otherwise ascertained | 1 | |
Agent identified—Salmonella Newport | 3 | |
(6) | Single cases : | |
Agent identified: | ||
Salmonella Typhimurium | 2 | |
Salmonella Newport | 1 | |
Unknown | 33 | |
(7) | Salmonella Infections, not foodborne | Nil |