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154
Zymotic Enteritis or Epidemic Diarrhoea (Children under
5 years of age.—Ten cases were recorded as confirmed compared
with 11 for the previous year, 19 for 1961, 57 for 1960, 30
for 1959, 9 for 1958, 12 for 1957 and 17 for 1956.
One case received hospital treatment. There were no deaths.
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 316 notifications received during the current year
shows a rise of 287 over that of the previous year. Consisting
almost entirely of school children and their parents, the cases were
fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The present figure
of 316 is the largest since 1956 when the total of 480 cases was
the subject of a detailed investigation and analysis.
The distribution of the cases was 53 in East Greenwich, 119
in West Greenwich, 32 in St. Nicholas, Deptford, and 112 in
Charlton and Kidbrooke.
Two cases were removed to hospital but there were no
fatalities.
Scabies.—Three cases were notified during 1963 compared
with one for 1962, 4 for 1961, 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 7 cases concerning Greenwich residents were brought
to the notice of the department, a similar figure being returned
the previous year, 5 for 1961, 9 for 1960 and 18 for 1959.
All patients received hospital treatment. There were no
fatalities.
Meningococcal Infection.—Similar to the previous two years
there were no notifications received during the current year compared
with one for 1960, two for 1959, none for 1958, 2 during
1957, a nil return for 1956 and 5 for 1955.