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INFECTIVE DISEASES 19
Malaria
One recurrent case was notified, that of a person who had been
living in Africa.
Erysipelas
Forty-two cases were notified.
Other Infective Diseases
Twelve deaths occurred from syphilis.
Scabies
Sixteen notifications were received. Thirty-three treatments were
given at the Council's Disinfecting Station during the year.
At the Battersea Cleansing Station, a total of 62 treatments for
scabies and verminous conditions was given to women residents
(and children under school age) of Wandsworth in accordance with
the arrangements made by this Council with the Battersea Borough
Council in 1955.
Food Poisoning
Investigation was made in 275 notified or otherwise reported cases
during the year. One hundred and seven of these were deemed to be
not food poisoning after laboratory examination of faecal specimens
from those affected. Of the remaining notifications, 152 were single,
unrelated cases and 42 comprised 16 minor outbreaks involving two
or more persons.
Most of the single cases were only slightly affected and where
bacteriological examination was carried out, organisms likely to
have caused the illness were discovered in 20 cases. The organisms
involved were Salmonellae typhimurium (12), saint paul (2), anatum,
heidelberg, enteriditis, newport, tennessee and mihaiama.
In five of the minor outbreaks, Salmonellae typhimurium (3),
heidelberg and reading were isolated; it was not possible in the
remaining seven to identify the causative agent.
There were, in addition to the above cases, three other outbreaks
reported, two of which, involving respectively 210 and 73 persons,
occurred at a hospital in the borough and the third, involving 50
persons, occurring at a factory.
In all three outbreaks, bacteriological investigations indicated the
causative agent as heat resistant Clostridium welchii and full reports
were submitted to the Ministry of Health in accordance with existing
procedure.