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48
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever.
Two cases were notified during 1954. One was home nursed and
the other case was removed to hospital, but died a week later.
The two cases were not related in any way, and the infection in
the second case mentioned above was contracted in the Midlands
prior to the removal of the patient to this area.
Scarlet Fever.
One hundred and eleven cases were notified. Twenty-four of
these cases were removed to hospital and the remainder home nursed.
There were no "return" cases, and no deaths from this disease.
Most of the cases were of a mild type. This change in the character
of the disease in recent years has been commented upon previously,
and at the moment there seems no indication that a change for
the worse is in any way likely in the near future. In my own mind I
find it difficult to decide whether the organism causing the disease has
lost a great deal of its virulence or whether the generally improved
standard of living has built up such a strong generation that the
human body is now able to cope with the invader very much more
effectively. It may well be., of course, that a combination of these
circumstances is responsible, but whatever the cause, the results can
only be counted as eminently satisfactory.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
Ninety-three cases were notified. Ninety-two were institutionally
treated and one home nursed. Of the ninety-two cases notified from
Hospital, only thirty-two patients were resident in this area.
There were no deaths recorded from this disease.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
One case was notified. This was treated in hospital and made a
satisfactory recovery. There was no impairment of vision.
Pemphigus Neonatorum.
No cases were notified during the year.
Measles.
Five hundred and fifteen cases were notified. This figure showed
a decrease compared with the seven hundred and sixty-one cases notified
in 1953.