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103
Antitoxin.—Since January, 1949, arrangements have been made
for a small stock of diphtheria antitoxin to be held at St. Alfege's
Hospital for use by general practitioners in emergencies.
Acute Primary Pneumonia and Acute Influenzal Pneumonia.—:There
were 28 cases attributed to these causes, as compared
with 14 for each of the years 1955 and 1956. Six occurred in East
Greenwich, 1 in St. Nicholas, Deptford, and 21 in Charlton and
Kidbrooke.
Six cases were removed to hospital where one, a man of 37
years, died from acute influenzal pneumonia.
Typhoid.—There were 2 cases of paratyphoid fever notified
this year compared with one for 1956. Both cases (2 sisters from
Belgium visiting their grandmother in this Borough) were removed
to hospital.
Scarlet Fever.—A total of 102 notifications for the year shows
an increase of 44 over 1956 compared with 57 cases for 1955. Twenty
one occurred in East Greenwich, 30 in West Greenwich, 1 in St.
Nicholas, Deptford, and 50 in Charlton and Kidbrooke.
Nine cases were removed to hospital and no fatalities were
recorded.
Erysipelas.—No cases were notified during the year compared
with 4 last year and 6 for 1955.
Zymotic Enteritis or Epidemic Diarrhoea (Children under
5 years of age).—Twelve cases were recorded as confirmed compared
with 17 for the previous year.
One case, a male child of one month, was admitted to hospital
where he died.
Sonne Dysentery.—This disease is usually characterised by
diarrhoea, fever and, to a lesser extent, vomiting. Although
modern methods of treatment are effective and usually fairly rapid,
nevertheless the disease has become a serious nuisance and difficult
to control. It. is normally mild but in infanta and young children it
can produce serious illness and debility, especially if the patients are
already slightly below normal health. In adults it is an irksome
inconvenience and, if they work in the food trade, it can cause
economic hardship.