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out during the current year. Of these, 547 were effected by local
general practitioners who were also responsible for giving 465
reinforcing doses out of a total of 2,556.
Diphtheria
No case was registered for the year under review, a result
similar to that of the previous year.
During the year, 3,665 primary immunisations were completed
in the Borough of which 581 were effected by general practitioners.
Most diphtheria immunisations which are given form part of a
combined antigen therapy and, in addition to these primary treatments,
some 6,966 reinforcing doses were given, 782 of which were
carried out by local doctors.
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 and Acute Influenzal Pneumonia
Altogether 59 notifications were received up to 30th September,
1968, compared with a total of 32 for the year 1967.
Twenty-eight cases received hospital treatment, and 2 deaths
were recorded.
Typhoid
No notification was received this year, a similar return to that
for 1967.
Erysipelas
Ten cases were notified up to 30th September, 1968, compared
with 8 for the previous year.
Dysentery
This disease is usually characterised by diarrhoea, fever and,
to a lesser extent, vomiting. Although modern methods of treatment
are effective and usually 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.
There were 49 confirmed cases in 1968, a total which shows a
decrease of 39 from the figure of 88 for the previous year.
Two of the 12 cases who received hospital treatment were resident
outside the Borough. No fatality was recorded.
Puerperal Pyrexia
Of the 72 cases notified up to 30th September, 1968, 33 were in
respect of hospital patients whose residences were outside the