View report page

3
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough
of Dagenham.
Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The lines adopted in compiling my report for the year 1943
closely follow those employed in the previous year, and it will be
found that the report consists largely of statistical matter, the main
comments being included in the earlier pages.
As in previous war years, the report is abbreviated in accordance
with Circular 2773 issued by the Ministry of Health, many statistics
are omitted but are preserved for presentation at a date to be determined
by the Minister.
SONNE
DYSENTRY.
This condition has been prevalent over a
large part of the country and outbreaks
occurred in two of the War-Time Nurseries,
one at the end of 1943 and a further one in the spring of 1944. The
original cause in the first wave was ascertained and appropriate
measures, consisting of bacteriological examinations of rectal swabs
from both staff and patients, were taken and the results tabulated.
The services of the Bacteriologist at Oldchurch County Hospital were
sought and readily given. A scheme was then put into operation of
systematic treatment of all those infected, the drug employed was
supplied by Messrs. May and Baker, and the results were eminently
satisfactory.
The second outbreak was entirely cleared up within a matter of
a few weeks. Among other precautions taken, it was found necessary
to close the two nurseries concerned for brief periods.
A full account of these outbreaks has been sent for publication
in the medical press.
SCARLET
FEVER.
The control of Scarlet Fever has been the
subject of controversy for many years, the
practice amongst different local authorities
often varied widely, causing confusion in the minds of the public.
It was considered advisable to obtain some uniformity and the Essex
Epidemiological Committee gave it their close attention. In due
course a memorandum was prepared and circulated to all Medical
Officers of Health, Medical Officers in charge of hospitals and General
Practitioners in the administrative county of Essex. It was also
published in the principal medical periodicals. The following is the
text of the memorandum :—
"It is generally agreed that 'scarlet fever' has become so
benign as to make largely unnecessary its administrative control
as previously exercised. It is recognised also that this condition
is only one of the many manifestations of infection with Group
A haemolytic streptococci and that there is no justification for