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19
Of the two cases of Paratyphoid the source of infection could
not be traced. One was a girl of 6 months who was removed
from Carshalton Hospital, where she was being treated for gastroenteritis
and pneumonia, to Tooting Hospital, where she was
diagnosed as Paratyphoid. The other was a man of forty years
whose case history showed nothing likely to point to the source of
infection.
Carriers.
There are two typhoid carriers and one paratyphoid carrier
in the Borough. They are kept under careful surveillance and
regular laboratory examinations are carried out. The Deputy
Medical Officer reviews each case frequently and confers with the
patient's medical attendant regarding treatment. Advice is given
to the patient or patient's parents and they are reminded of their
responsibilities in handling such cases.
The use of the newer antibodies such as Chloromycetin has
greatly improved the prognosis in cases of enteric fever, but
unfortunately has proved of little avail in the treatment of the
chronic carrier state.
Chloromycetin appears to clear up the disease so quickly that
the body does not develop a high level of immunity and carrier
states may be produced more frequently than with the natural
unmodified disease. This may prove to be a serious public health
problem in future years, if the preliminary reports are confirmed.
Erysipelas.
There was a rise in the number of cases during the year from
12 to 24 but there were no deaths. The average of cases over
the past 12 years is 31 per year.
The justification for notifying erysipelas is rather slender ;
while so many other conditions due to the same organism, the
haemolytic streptococcus, are not statutorily notifiable.
In the past, deaths from the condition were not uncommon,
but no death has now occurred in the Borough for many years.
Food Poisoning.
Twenty-three people were notified during the year as suffering
from food poisoning.
In one of these cases the causative agent was identified as
Salmonella Typhimurium. This organism is associated with contamination
of food by vermin.