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2
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1956
people. There were four deaths from cases associated with child
birth, the same as in the previous year.
The number of cases of infectious disease showed a reduction—
3,682— accounted for mainly by the large reduction in the number of
measles cases. The number of cases of tuberculosis primarily notified
to us was 100 less than in the previous year.
In 1956, we experienced a considerable increase in the number of
cases of dysentery compared with previous years, there being in all
750 cases notified during the year. This is a mild form of dysentery
known as Sonne dysentery and it has become very much more prevalent
in many areas of the country over the last decade. It is fortunately
not a serious disease in the sense that it threatens life except
possibly in very young children or old people. It is a disease predominantly
of children, especially school children, and it has a considerable
nuisance value. Outbreaks of this disease occurred at a
number of schools and day nurseries in the area and we regard the
problem of prevention very seriously although many of the cases are
mild and only detected by bacteriological examination. Reference to
the Table on page 16 will give some idea of the number of specimens
which were taken from these cases in bringing the outbreaks under
control. The handling of these outbreaks entails a great amount of
routine work by Public Health Inspectors and staff generally and I
am happy to say we obtain the greatest possible help from the Public
Health Laboratory to whom specimens are sent for bacteriological
examination. I am also happy to record that we enjoy the greatest
help and co-operation from head teachers who, of course, are only
too glad to do all possible to limit the number of cases. I have to
report this year, unfortunately, that four cases of diphtheria occurred
in the Borough of which one died. This is the first death from diphtheria
we have had in the Borough for many years. In spite of the
efforts which are constantly being made to increase the number of
children immunised against diphtheria and the consequent virtual
disappearance of the disease, we must be on our guard not to become
complacent with the results so far achieved. Diphtheria is a disease