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20
Diseases Authority for Notification
Relapsing Fever Public Health (London) Act, 1936—Sections 192 and 304.
Scabies County of London (Scabies) Regulations, 1943.
Scarlet Fever Public Health (London) Act, 1936—Sections 192 and 304.
Smallpox Do.
Tuberculosis Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1952.
Typhoid Fever Public Health (London) Act, 1936—Sections 192 and 304.
(Including Paratyphoid)
Typhus Fever Do.
Whooping Cough County of London (Measles and Whooping Cough)
Regulations, 1938 to 1948.
For each of the above a fee of 2/6d. is payable by the Local Authority to the medical
practitioner if the case occurs in his private practice, or 1/- if the case occurs in his practice
as medical officer of a public body or institution.
Notifications
During the year 258 cases of infectious disease were notified, of which 85 were removed
to hospital. These are tabulated in the age groups (see Table No. 6, page 22). Comparative
figures of infectious disease for the years 1922-1955 are also shown (see Table No. 7,
pages 24 and 25).
Diphtheria
It is very gratifying to report that for the fifth year in succession no case of diphtheria
was notified.
Dysentery
Four cases were notified and three were removed to hospital.
Enteric Fever
No cases of typhoid fever were notified during the year.
Erysipelas
One case was notified and was treated at home.
Food Poisoning
Twelve cases were notified, none of which necessitated removal to hospital. Eleven
of the cases occurred in an outbreak at a private hostel. Salmonella thompson organisms
were isolated from two of the patients, and cultures from a sample of cold meat which was
under suspicion showed a growth of staphylococci aureus pyogenes. The origin of the
infection remained unknown.
Measles
One-hundred and seventy-two cases were notified and twenty-two were removed to
hospital. One case removed to hospital was subsequently re-diagnosed as rubella.
Meningococcal Infection
Two cases were notified and were removed to hospital.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
One case was notified and was treated at home.