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another large family living in the same house as the
patient were, in fact, close relatives, and on examining
specimens from each of them it was found that the patient's
grandfather was a typhoid carrier. He was admitted to
hospital for treatment. Soon after returning home, however,
further specimens of his stools were found to
contain the typhoid organism.
The house in which he lived contained only one W.C.
and it was thought desirable that there should be another
for his exclusive use to avoid the possibility of any
other member of the household contracting the disease.
Since the number of occupants in the house was in excess
of the number laid down in the standard for sanitary
accommodation adopted by the Council, the matter was
brought to the notice of the Public Health Committee and
a notice was served on the owner under the provisions of
Section 36 of the Housing Act, 1957.
In the meanwhile, however, the typhoid carrier who
is practically confined to the house because of other
disability, agreed to live apart from his family if a oneroom
letting could be found for him in the near vicinity.
The desirability of this course of action was made known
to the Director of Housing who was most helpful in being
able to provide the necessary alternative accommodation.
The patient has since been kept under periodic surveillance
and specimens of faeces are being regularly submitted for
bacteriological examination; so far, however, the infection
has persisted although the patient himself has no
symptoms.
Dysentery.
There was a considerable increase in the incidence
of dysentery in 1959 when 120 cases were notified. This
was the highest number for many years, with the exception
of 1956 when 256 notifications were received.
The following table shows by age distribution the
notifications of this disease received during the past 11
years.