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56
Poliomyelitis
Comparison of all confirmed cases of poliomyelitis in 1949
with those received in 1947 (See also chart on p. 55).

A comparison of the dates the cases were notified in the two years
is shown on the chart.
infectious disease visiting
In the earlier part of the year the Council appointed two infectious
disease visitors whose duty it is to visit the homes of persons who are
stated to be suffering from a notifiable infectious disease. Both infectious
disease visitors are State Registered Nurses and also Registered
Fever Nurses. This work was formerly carried out in part by the
sanitary inspectors and in part by the health visitors, but the infectious
disease visitors now visit all notifiable infectious diseases except food
poisoning, cases of which continue to be investigated by the food
inspectors. The work of the infectious disease visitors as agents of the
medical officer of health includes the investigation of home conditions,
the giving of advice to patients and contacts particularly where the
patient is left at home, and in general the taking of such measures as may
be necessary to combat the spread of infection.
The following is a summary of the work for ordinary infectious
diseases carried out during the year, which is in addition to the visits
paid by sanitary inspectors referred to in table 15.