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22
Poliomyelitis
The one case of acute poliomyelitis (paralytic) reported was a Nigerian priest
who had been visiting hospitals in Nigeria. He arrived in England on the 15th
May and was admitted to hospital on the following day. In the opinion of the
doctor at the hospital he was suffering from poliomyelitis when he arrived and
there is no doubt whatsoever that the disease was contracted in Nigeria. He had
not been immunised against poliomyelitis.
Paratyphoid Fever
A case of paratyphoid was reported by the Medical Officer of Health of a
neighbouring borough. The patient was a scholar at a large girls school in the
area. An immediate check was made by the District Public Health Inspector
who found that the girl had only been at school recently on odd days as she was
taking examinations. Out of a total of 475 scholars only 25 were absent. None
of the girls had been away on school holidays. The school had its own private
swimming bath, the water of which was filtered and chlorinated. As, however,
many of the absentees were stated to be suffering from gastro enteritis a check
was made on the school kitchen hygiene and specimens were taken of all absentees
and kitchen staff. A talk on personal hygiene was given by the Acting Medical
Officer of Health. Fortunately with one exception all specimens taken both of
staff and scholars proved negative and there was no outbreak. The exception
was a scholar found to be secreting salmonella muenchen.
Typhoid
An immigrant who had suffered from this disease twelve years ago sought
employment with a large catering firm in the area. He was dissuaded from this
course and found employment as an engineering worker in no way connected with
food handling.
An immigrant employed in a large catering firm in the area was found to be
a typhoid carrier. He was admitted to hospital and eventually discharged
as fit. In view of the danger of his reverting to the carrier state he was prohibited
from engaging in food handling and suitable employment was found for him in
light industry.
International Certificates of Vaccination and Inoculation
Arrangements continued for the authentication by the Medical Officer of
Health of the signature of doctors on certificates of vaccination and inoculation
for travellers from this country going abroad as required by the International
Sanitary Regulations.
Visit of Mass X-Ray Unit to Hammersmith
By arrangement with the West Metropolitan Regional Radiography service
a mass x-ray unit was made available at six different sites within the Borough during
March. The visit was very successful.