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23
usually two or three hundred cases as the epidemic generally
commences in December of one year and extends until May of the
next year. Even for a non-epidemic year, 36 cases is an
extremely low figure.
Whooping cough was not very prevalent, except in the
last quarter of the year, when 105 of the 169 cases were notified.
Two cases of poliomyelitis, both paralytic, occurred.
In four cases of suspected poliomyelitis the diagnosis was not
confirmed.
The total number of cases of dysentery was 73, the
highest for several years.
An outbreak of dysentery occurred in a day nursery,
commencing on the 12th April, when a child was excluded with
diarrhoea. Subsequently 38 cases were excluded with diarrhoea,
of whom 22 were found to be excreters of sonne dysentery.
Those who were positive were excluded until three negative
swabs were obtained, and the remainder were excluded for two
weeks after full recovery from their diarrhoea. The usual
methods of scrubbing walls, floors etc. were carried out. No
further cases occurred after the 10th May when new admissions
recommenced.
Another outbreak of dysentery occurred in a hostel
for 15 working mothers and their babies. On the 26th March
two babies were sent for examination and 8 babies were found to
be excreting sonne dysentery. These children were sent to
hospital. The 15 mothers were then swabbed and 3 symptomless
excreters found, 2 of whom had babies who were also positive.
All the staff, mothers and babies in the hostel had a course of
antibiotic therapy. At the completion, one mother was still
positive and treatment was repeated successfully.
•
I am grateful to the Medical Officer of Health, London
County Council, and the Divisional Medical Officer, for information
concerning the outbreaks of dysentery.
Two cases of malaria were notified, in both instances
the illness was contracted abroad.
No case of smallpox was notified in the Borough during
1954. In one instance of difficult diagnosis the Medical Officer
of Health was called In by a local practitioner, but the diagnosis
was finally confirmed as chickenpox.