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The only other notable increase was in the number of food
poisoning notifications. These rose from 185 to 235, although in
only 18 and 39 respectively of these cases was the diagnosis
confirmed bacteriologically.
The number of cases of scarlet fever notified dropped from
136 in 1969to 101 this year, but in view of the dubiety that exists
in the medical profession about whether or not this disease in
its present form should remain notifiable, this drop might well be
due to lack of notifications, rather than an actual decline in the
number of cases.
Infective Jaundice notifications dropped by 25 — from 72
to 47.
The incidence of infectious disease is decreasing due to a
combination of factors, such as immunisation and vaccination
programmes, increasing awareness by the public of preventive
measures, better standards of housing and hygiene, national and
international measures to control the spread from outbreaks and
vigilance on the part of doctors who have at their disposal increasingly
better facilities for the investigation and treatment of suspected
and confirmed cases.
The following table shows the number of specimens submitted
to the Department of Pathology at Oldchurch Hospital,
and once again my thanks are due to Dr. E. Atkinson, Consultant
Pathologist, and his staff for their co-operation and assistance
in the control of infection within the Borough.

Non Food Handlers
*Salmonella typhimurium 4)
" bredeney 1)
" emek 1)
" banana 4)
" tennessee 1)
*Salmonella enteriditis 3)
derby 1)
" reading 2)
" panama 15)
32
Food Handlers
*Salmonella banana 1)
typhimurium 2)
panama 5)
8
18