London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Greenwich 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]

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147
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 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 total of 35 notifications received during the current year
shows a fall of 115 from that of the previous year and 214 from 1959.
The present figure is approximately 7% of that returned for
1956, viz. 480, the year in which a detailed investigation and
analysis was made of a most explosive outbreak.
The distribution of the cases was 4 in East Greenwich, 15 in
West Greenwich, 5 in St. Nicholas. Deptford, and 11 in Charlton
and Kidbrooke.
No cases were removed to hospital and there were no fatalities.
Scabies.—Four cases were notified during 1961 compared with
a nil return for 1960, 4 for 1959, 1 for 1958, 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 no notifications
received in accordance with the 1951 Regulations but from
other sources 5 cases concerning Greenwich residents were brought
to the notice of the department, a figure of 9 being returned for the
year 1960 and 18 for 1959.
All patients received hospital treatment. There were no
fatalities.
Meningococcal Infection.—There were no notifications
received during the current year compared with one for the previous
year, two for 1959, none for 1958, 2 during 1957, a nil return for
1956 and 5 for 1955.
Acute Encephalitis. (Infective or Post Infectious).—A Nil
return is recorded for the current year, a similar return to those for
the years 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956 and 1955.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—In respect of this disease no
notifications were received. There was one for 1960. none for 1959
and one was recorded for 1958. However, from other sources, 2
cases concerning Greenwich residents were brought to the notice
of the department both of whom received hospital treatment.