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Two cases of Salmonella Typhimurium infection were unconnected,
and one, not diagnosed until after admission to hospital, was not
notified until after transfer to an Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Two cases of Food poisoning in which the agent was not diagnosed
were reported. One case was strongly suggestive of toxic food poisoning
either staphylococcal or due to Cl.Welchii. Notification was received
from the family doctor and from the hospital to which the patient had
been admitted almost moribund four hours after a meal of cold lamb
consumed at a Luncheon Meeting in another borough. After a severe
illness, recovery was complete. Eleven other persons who partook of
this meal were similarly affected. The other incident took place eight
hours after the consumption of mushrooms. The suspected food and
faeces of the family were examined with negative results. The report
on the mushrooms stated that a low viable count of coagulase-negative
staphylococcus albus was obtained and saprophytic bact. coli. No
pathogens were isolated.
In another investigation, a convalescent carrier of Salmonella
Newport stayed temporarily with friends in this borough, after the
death of his wife in another area from Salmonella Newport. He was
kept under surveillance until further faecal specimens proved negative.
A home was visited to report on the suitability of the accommodation
of an elderly patient about to be discharged from the Infectious
Diseases Hospital, and who was a carrier of Salmonella Typhimurium.
An unusual surveillance in these days of freedom from Diphtheria
outbreaks was that of a School Teacher living in the borough, but
employed in a North London School, who had been a Diphtheria
contact. The necessary clearance throat swabs were arranged.
Later in the year, an outbreak of Diphtheria in a School in a
neighbouring borough was reported. Of the many carriers of Diphtheria
resulting from the epidemic, a Teacher who was found to be a nasal
carrier of virulent diphtheria bacilli, was reported and kept under
surveillance until the necessary three consecutive negative nasal swabs
had been obtained.
Arrangements with St. Hilda's Nursery for the bacteriological
control by the Public Health Laboratory Service of new admissions,
continued during the year. Thirty-nine faecal specimens were examined.
No pathogenic organisms were isolated including examination for
bact. coli. virulent types which are associated with enteritis in babies
and are highly infectious.
There was a slight increase in notifications from the Maternity
Hospital of Puerperal Pyrexia and Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
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