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DIPHTHERIA
No notifications were received during the year. Two cases were
confirmed in 1955, being the first cases since 1949. Only one death has
occurred during the past eighteen years.
Immunisation has played a major part towards the present excellent
position, nevertheless it is constantly necessary to publicise the efficacy
of such a service. Details of services provided during the year will be
found on page 18 „
POLIOMYELITIS
Four notifications of Poliomyelitis came to hand, and three were
subsequently confirmedj all were of the paralytic type.
All the cases were females, aged from 25 to 29 years, one being pregnant
at the time. Fortunately all were reported to be making satisfactory
progress.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA
Puerperal Pyrexia means a febrile condition in a woman in whom a
temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit (38°Centigrade) or more has occurred within
fourteen days after childbirth or miscarriage.
Thirty-one cases were notified during the year, all of which occurred
in hospital. Twenty-three notifications referred to patients residing
outside the Borough.
The Puerperal Pyrexia (Amendment) Regulations, 1954, which came into
operation on the 1st March, 1955, prescribed a form of certificate for
notification of cases of puerperal pyrexia by medical practitioners.
The new form requires the cause of the disease, if known, to be stated.
Herewith is a brief summary of the actual causes in the above cases?
1 case was due to genital tract infection, 4 to breast involvement, 4
urinary tract infection, 1 respiratory tract infection, 1 kidney infection,
and causes not known 20.
Eleven other cases were brought to the notice of this Department by
other local authorities these concerned Chelsea residents whose confinements
took place in hospitals situated in their areas.