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32
Circumstances of cases sent to Hospital.
The cases arose generally in households of 4 or 5 persons and in
houses containing normally 2 living rooms and 3 bedrooms. The
reasons for hospital reference were generally noted as unsatisfactory
progress, young children in the house, complications in the disease and
inadequate isolation. In some seven of the eighteen cases analysed
no reason was ascertained.
General.
It is clear from the extreme limits during which isolation was
achieved in various cases that in fact anything like a recognised minimum
period of isolation is sadly lacking. The result is that the period
appears naturally and almost inevitably to be determined in some
cases by the individual inclinations of the persons concerned. It is
clearly impossible to define with any precision the interval which must
elapse in every case before the danger of infection spread may be regarded
as over. There was nevertheless in the past an approximate
guide as to the advisable duration of isolation and if Scarlet Fever is
to retain any importance as an infectious disease, the question of isolation
should be reviewed in the light of the changes brought about by
antibiotics. Until some indication in this respect is afforded to Medical
Officers of Health the adequate control of individual cases—if control
is in fact any longer regarded as necessary—will continue to be as it
is now—a near impossibility.
Diphtheria.
No case occurred during the year.
Measles.
The diminution in this disease as compared with 1951 is noted
statistically. Its type appeared to remain mild.
Whooping Cough.
The incidence remained at approximately the same level as
last year.
The public introduction of an effective vaccine is still awaited.
Poliomyelitis.
Five eases occurred in 1952 and these comprised three non-paralytic
and two paralytic. In the latter cases the initial paralysis was moderate
to severe and satisfactory progress was maintained. Both have now
regained fair power in the affected limbs although attendance for
physiotherapy is still being continued.
The incidence of the disease will be seen to have dropped as against
1951 and the non-paralytic cases continue to exceed those paralysed.
This disease again is one in which the surveillance of contacts
probably enables us both to effect some measure of infection control
and to increase our knowledge of the possible paths of disease spread.