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56
DYSENTERY
During 1958, one hundred and eleven notifications were submitted as
compared with 71 in 1957 and 34.9 in 1956.
63% of the sufferers were residents of an institution not controlled
by this authority. The premises concerned were such that it was difficult
to prevent the spread of infection among the particular type of inmates.
Nevertheless the Borough Council has been at great pains to bring about
the eradication of the incidence of dysentery.
MEASLES
Two hundred and seventeen notifications of Measles were received
during 1958, as compared with 406 and 183 in 1957 and 1956 respectively.
SCARIET FEVER
Sixteen notifications of Scarlet Fever were received in the Public
Health Department during 1958, as compared with 34 in 1957.
TYPHOID FEVER
There were two isolated cases of typhoid fever notified during the
year. The first case was a young man of 27 years, who was admitted to
hospital with a history of high fever (no gastro-intestinal symptoms),
where typhoid fever was diagnosed and confirmed from blood cultures.
He is making satisfactory progress and should be discharged early in the
new year.
The other case referred to a male, aged 46 years. He was taken ill
and had a temperature of 100°, remaining in bed for four days with what
appeared to be influenza. Malaise persisted, and he developed a swinging
temperature after fourteen days, which continued for a few days, when he
took to bed again. The patient was removed to hospital, and after
investigation was notified as a case of typhoid fever, confirmed by blood
culture and faeces specimens. After three weeks in hospital he was
considered fit to be discharged although he was still excreting the
organism. Toilet facilities and home conditions were excellent, and he
was allowed home under the care of his private doctor and the hospital.
This Department will make periodic visits until he is free from infection.
Investigations to ascertain the source of infection in the above
cases were still in progress at the end of the year.