View report page

40
(c) Enteric Fever.
During 1938, 4 cases were notified. The number for 1937 was
10. Of the 4 cases, I proved on blood examination to be Paratyphoid
B, and the remaining 3 proved to be Typhoid. Two of the
Typhoid cases were notified from Oldchurch County Hospital.
(d) Small Pox.
Once more I have to report an absence of cases from the District,
but several times I have been called out for consultation by
practitioners on doubtful cases. On each occasion the condition
has proved to be Chickenpox. When there are few lesions present
these two diseases look very similar, hence the necessity for constant
vigilance during a Chickenpox epidemic, more especially as,
at the present day, the percentage of successfully vaccinated persons
is small.
(e) Puerperal Pyrexia.
During the year, 13 cases were reported. Of these 7 were reported
from Oldchurch County Hospital.
(f) Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Three cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified, particulars
of which are given in Table 22.
(g) Pneumonia.
Thirty-four cases of Pneumonia were reported. Of these, 3
were stated to have been of Influenzal origin.
(h) Acute Poliomyelitis.
This disease was present in epidemic form in several parts of
the Country, but more especially in Essex, during the latter half
of the year. In consequence, the practitioners were informed to be
on the outlook for early symptoms and signs, especially the Spinal
Sign and Amoss' Sign. Arising out of this, I was asked to look at
several possible cases. Some of these could be diagnosed at the
patient's home as not being Acute Poliomyelitis, but in one or two
instances it was considered desirable to have the patient removed
to the Isolation Hospital for further observation.
During the year, there were 3 definite cases, and in one instance
the patient unfortunately died. None of our cases, so far
as we could ascertain, had any connection with the epidemic in the
Eastern part of the County.
(i) Encephalitis Lethargica
No cases of this disease were notified.