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13
Dysentery
Dysentery, due to infection with shigella sonnei, was prevalent
during the year, 341 cases being confirmed compared with 230 during the
previous year. Of those infected, 162 were under five years of age,
130 between five and fifteen years of age, and 49 were adults.
Diagnosis of Smallpox
When suspicion of smallpox arises the family doctor informs the
Medical Officer of Health with whom rests responsibility for the final
decision regarding the diagnosis and the action which follows. The
advice of a panel of consultants is available to the Medical Officer
of Health. Suitable specimens can be submitted to the Public Health
Laboratory Service at Colindale for examination.
A diagnosis of smallpox was excluded in two such cases which
were referred during the year.
Complications of Vaccination
Generalised vaccinia is one of the occasional complications of
vaccination against smallpox. Due to its association with eczema the
presence of or a history of such a condition is an absolute bar to
vaccination. In the first half of the year a child aged two years, who
had been undergoing treatment for eczema, developed generalised vaccinia
from which she died. The child herself had not been vaccinated. Her
brother had been vaccinated some two to three weeks previously.