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with 80 in 1955-
This Increase was due mainly to the fact that there were two outbreaks
in the London County Council's Day Nursery In Uxbridge Road.
The first outbreak occurred in January and February and the second
in November and December.
The method of control in the first outbreak was to exclude all
cases where bacteriological examination showed the presence of Shigella
Sonnei, and in this connection faecal specimens were obtained from
everyone in the Nursery, Including the Staff. No patient was allowed
to return until two negative results had been obtained. The result was
that all affected persons were free from infection and back In the Nursery
by the middle of March. In all 32 children and 5 of the Staff were
affected.
During this outbreak a very detailed examination of the Nursery
and its contents was carried out to ascertain how the infection was
passing from person to person, but we were not able to do this.
Whilst this outbreak was in progress no new admissions were allowed
to take place until fourteen days after the last case reported.
It was suggested during the second outbreak that the method of
control should be the clinical exclusion method, In wiilch sufferers
were to be excluded and no bacteriological examinations were to be
carried out. This method was adopted but failed and the method of control
used in the first outbreak was again put Into force but with the
exception that only seven days had to elapse after the last case before
fresh admissions were permitted.
Again the mode of infection could not be traced.
The outbreak was controlled by 19th January 1957.
Medicinal Baths
The Medicinal Baths in Scotts Road, Shepherds Bush, provide for the
treatment of scabies, impetigo, and various verminous conditions.
The work at the Baths was running quite smoothly until the middle
of March when a breakdown In the supply of steam from Lime Grove Baths
put all cleansing services out of action, and only a supply of cold
water was available, and a few days later even this supply was cut and
the Extension to the Medicinal Baths had to be closed.
When the steam supply failed, emergency steps were taken and all
treatment of children was arranged by the Divisional Medical Officer
of the London County Council and carried out by arrangement with Dr.
Weir, Medical Officer of Health of Kensington at Blechynden Mews.
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