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17
1949. Three of the 10 cases were non-paralytic and 7 paralytic. There
was one death in a girl of 16 years. Particulars of all these cases were
sent by the Medical Officer of Health to the Medical Research Council
who are carrying out investigations as to whether there is any connection
between the onset and course of the disease and prophylactic inoculations
and tonsil operations. Two of the cases in the City had previously had
inoculations, one of anti-tetanus and one B.C.G.
The search for a more effective way of controlling poliomyelitis is
gathering momentum both in this country and the United States, where
recently it has been found possible to grow the virus on artificial media
in sufficient quantities for a more accurate study of its properties to
be made than has hitherto been possible. Consequently there is hope
that a vaccine capable of immunizing the population against this crippling
disease may be found in the not too distant future.
Arrangements for Investigation of Influenza.
During the year, the City Council authorised its Medical Officer of
Health to co-operate with the Ministry of Health and the Central Public
Health Laboratory, in compiling information for the investigation of
outbreaks of influenza. A scheme was accordingly set up for the early
detection of cases in the City.
Under this scheme, two medical practitioners, two medical officers
in charge of staff at two hospitals, and a medical officer of a large
industrial concern, agreed to act as "spotters" and to inform the Medical
Officer of Health as soon as any signs of an influenza epidemic became
known to them and to collect specimens from the patients for laboratory
investigation.
The object of this investigation was to obtain early information in
order to determine the source and nature of an impending epidemic and
the isolation of the causative virus.
Nothing in the nature of an epidemic occurred during the year.
German Measles.
The City Council also authorised the Medical Officer of Health to
assist the Central Public Health Laboratory in their investigation of
German Measles. Accordingly, early information was transmitted to
the Laboratory of cases of this disease occurring in the City. In
conjunction with the family doctors and with the permission of the
patients, specimens were obtained for laboratory investigation.
The object of this research into German Measles is to discover
effective preventive measures against the possible occurrence of ill effects
in infants, whose mothers develop the disease in early pregnancy.