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FOOD POISONING.
During the year two notifications of food poisoning were received
which were confirmed, one being a child who was probably
infected with S. typhi murium when on holiday. The other was
an adult infected by S. thompson but the source of infection could
not be found. In addition a mother and her two children who
were admitted to hospital were found to be infected with S. typhi
murium, but again, the source of infection was not discovered.
Apart from these 5 definite cases, investigations were carried out
in respect of 5 families, in which one to three members had
suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting. In all cases the bacteriological
findings were completely negative and no doubt in two of
the families the cause was epidemic vomiting.
POLIOMYELITIS.
This disease was more prevalent nationally in 1955 and once
again this increased incidence coincided with a Summer which was
mainly dry and sunny.
The total of 11 paralytic and 6 non-paralytic cases was thi
highest recorded locally, the next highest being in 1947 when there
were 8 paralytic and 3 non-paralytic cases. There can be but little
doubt, however, that in 1955 the signs thought to justify a positive
diagnosis were more numerous and it is very doubtful whether
the disease was really more prevalent.
One isolated fatal case occurred in January followed in May
by another severe adult paralytic case. All the other cases occurred
in September to November and the first three of these were also
adults. Altogether 8 were over 20 years of age (1 non-paralytic),
2 were pre-school children, (1 non-paralytic) and 7 were school
children, 4 of whom were non-paralytic.
Of the 11 paralytic cases only 3 were severe, all adults, and of
the 10 survivors only 2 had any pronounced residual paralysis
after treatment, the majority finishing only with slight paralysis,
if any.
In addition to the above, 6 persons were admitted to hospital
as suspected cases but were found to be suffering from other diseases.
Similarly, as is usual at such times, a number of contacts
with cases outside the District had to be followed up.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS.
One young child who died suddenly was diagnosed postmortem
as having suffered from meningococcal meningitis but
the case was unnotified.
PNEUMONIA.
During the year 31 cases of acute primary or influenzal pneumonia
were notified, compared with 20, 44, 21 and 51 in the 4
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