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nevertheless the disease has become a serious nuisance and difficult
to control. It is normally mild but in infants 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.
The remarkable fall in the incidence of dysentery during the
previous two years was not continued during the current year for
there was a resurgence from the figure of 20 for 1958 to 249 for
1959. The present figure, however, is still only approximately 50%
of the total returned for 1956 (viz. 480), the year in which a detailed
investigation and analysis was made of a most explosive outbreak.
As in 1956, the age group 5-15 years was most affected providing
some 47.4% of all notifications.
The distribution of the cases was 37 in East Greenwich, 20 in
West Greenwich, 41 in St. Nicholas, Deptford, and 151 in Charlton
and Kidbrooke.
Thirteen cases were removed to hospital but there were no
fatalities.
Scabies.—Four cases were so notified compared with one for
the previous year, 4 for 1957, and 6 for 1956.
Treatment for all cases of scabies is carried out at the Tunnel
Avenue Centre.
Puerperal Pyrexia.—During the year there were three notifications
received in accordance with the 1951 Regulations, only
one of which concerned a borough resident, but from other sources
18 cases concerning Greenwich residents were brought to the notice
of the department, a similar figure being returned for 1958.
All patients received hospital treatment. There were no
fatalities.
Meningococcal Infection.—There were two notifications
received during the current year compared with none for the previous
year, 2 during 1957, a nil return for 1956 and 5 for 1955.
The one death registered concerned a male child of 10 months
who died at home from acute meningococcal septicaemia.
Acute Encephalitis. (Infective or Post Infectious).—a Nil
return is recorded for the current year, a similar return to those for
the years 1958. 1957, 1956, 1955 and 1954.