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104
contaminated by the unwashed hands of persons excreting pathogenic
bacteria. Rigorous attention to this one principle of hygiene
would go a long way towards reducing those ' explosive ' outbreaks
which can be so very difficult to track down.
Compared with a figure of 100 for 1953, during the current year
some 70 cases were confirmed after the receipt 71 notifications, one
case being re—diagnosed as a ' gastric disturbance.' Eighteen
patients were removed to hospital.
Area distribution was as follows :—East Greenwich 22 ; West
Greenwich 22 ; St. Nicholas, Deptford 1 and Charlton and Kidbrooke
25.
In order to limit the spread of infection every case was diligently
investigated by the Sanitary Inspector and arrangements were made
by the department for the collection of faecal specimens from all
cases and contacts. Many local practitioners took advantage of
this service and called for faecal samples from suspects.
Treatment of all positive cases was continued until two consecutive
specimens proved bacteriologically negative.
Scabies.—Five cases were so notified compared with 12 for
the previous year.
Treatment of all cases of scabies is carried out at the Tunnel
Avenue Centre.
Puerperal Pyrexia.—During the year 3 notifications were
received in accordance with the 1951 Regulations, 2 of which were in
respect of Deptford residents, but from other sources a further 8
cases concerning Greenwich residents were brought to the notice of
the department.
All patients received hospital treatment. There were no
fatalities.
Meningococcal Infection.—Diagnosis of one of 5 notifications
received was not upheld, giving a final total of 4 which compares
with 3 cases in each of the previous 2 years.
All cases received hospital treatment.
There were 3 deaths from meningococcal infection recorded and
all were notified posthumously after post mortem.
Acute Encephalitis. (Infective or Post—Infectious).—A NIL
return is recorded for the current year. One notification was
received in respect of a ' post—infectious ' case but on removal of the
patient to hospital the complaint was re—diagnosed as mumps.