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Future progress in pertussis immunisation will, therefore,
depend on the evolution of a really satisfactory vaccine and
on the development of a " field " test, comparable with the
Schick test in diphtheria immunisation which could be used
for assessing immunity in inoculated children. Systematic
immunisation in the Borough was abandoned in 1945 owing
to our not being able to obtain a suitable vaccine, but the
position is being watched. At the present time, pertussis
immunisation is given by local pratitioners to individual
delicate children or those subjected to particular risk.
Dysentry.
Two cases were notified both treated at home.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
Seven cases were notified. All were treated in hospital.
There were two deaths.
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis and polio-encephalitis.
Sixteen cases were notified. Fifteen were treated in
Hospital and one at home. There were 3 deaths from polioencephalitis.
All cases were kept under surveillance by the
Department and I should like to acknowledge the help and
co-operation which was received from the medical practitioners
which ensured early notification and supervision. All possible
steps were taken to make the general public aware of the
need for early medical treatment and the operation of tonsillectomy
was suspended for the duration of the epidemc.
Food Poisoning.
Five cases of food poisoning were notified and all were
treated at their homes.
Scabies.
145 cases were notified. 182 patients and contacts had
two treatments at Corporation Cleansing Station and 58 had
one treatment. Benzyl Benzoate has been invariably used in
treatment. The incidence of this disease appears to be on
the decline in the Borough but it is too early to take too
sanguine a view that there will be no recrudescence of this
condition in years to come.
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