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infection caused by a closely related organism known as leptospira
icterohaemorrhagica.
This infection, known as Weil's disease is an occupational risk of
all sewer and drainage workers and is primarily an infection of rats,
the organism being excreted by the rat in its urine and infecting water.
A worker who has an abrasion which comes in contact with infected
water may develop a severe illness characterised by jaundice and
haemorrhages into the skin. In its early stages, however, it resembles
influenza and may easily be missed. Before the development of
antibiotic therapy measures the disease carried a fairly high mortality
rate.
The drainage inspection assistant reported sick from an illness at
first thought to be influenza but later suspicions were aroused and the
patient was transferred to hospital where the diagnosis of Weil's
disease was confirmed; fortunately a rapid and complete recovery
followed.
All sewer workers are carefully instructed in prophylaxis against
this disease. They are instructed to wash the hands and forearms
thoroughly when leaving the sewer and before a meal. In particular
any cut, scratch or abrasion, whether sustained at work or not, must
be cleansed thoroughly and a waterproof antiseptic dressing applied.
(These dressings are supplied for use.) Wherever possible boots and
gloves should be worn, particularly in foul conditions.
During August, 1955, there were 31 cases reported in England and
Wales and of the 21 due to leptospira icterohaemorrhagica 3 were
fatal, 8 were leptospira canicola (a note was given on L. canicola in
last year's annual report), and in two the type was unknown. Six of
the patients had recently bathed in rivers. These figures were unusually
high and compare with totals of 98 and 106 for the years 1953 and 1954.
POLIOMYELITIS
In 1955 nine cases of poliomyelitis were notified—four paralytic
and five non-paralytic.
Two of the paralytic cases had some paralysis but both children
were able to attend school and take part in normal activities. The
others completely recovered from the illness.
LABORATORY SERVICES
The Public Health Department continues to be a collection centre
for specimens submitted for laboratory examination by general practitioners
in Hornsey and supplies of containers are obtainable from
the department during office hours—9 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. weekdays
and 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Saturdays.
Specimens received in the department are collected by a messenger
from the laboratory service at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on
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