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17
During the month of July there was a small epidemic at one of
the schools in the district. Daily investigations were made by myself,
and the Chief Sanitary Inspector, as to the likely cause of infection
and, although this was not discovered the precautionary
measures recommended brought the epidemic to a close.
During this period the Ministry of Health, and the County
Medical Officer were kept informed of the progress of the
investigations.
(d) Measles and Whooping Cough.
Both these diseases were epidemic during the months of January,
February, March, April and May.
(e) Acute Infective Hepatitis.
This condition, previously alluded to as "Catarrhal Jaundice"
has for some time now given Public Health Authorities some concern,
owing to its wide spread distribution, not only in this Country,
but also abroad.
For the most part it affects children and adults, although it is
perhaps not so common amongst children under 5 years of age, and
the mode of spread is probably by infective droplets by way of the
upper respiratory tract, that is to say it can be disseminated by
coughing and sneezing. The Incubation Period is believed to be
about 1 month, and the onset of symptoms is gradual.
Symptoms of a "cold" and sore throat may be present in the
early stages, prior to abdominal symptoms. The abdominal symptoms
are sickness and vomiting, which are fairly constant features.
The evidence of Jaundice occurs shortly after the onset of the
abdominal symptoms, and may be transient. The bowel motions are
pale, and the urine is bile stained.
It is not, however, known for how long the patient is infectious,
but it is believed that he might be for a period of a fortnight. With
some the condition clears up fairly rapidly, but, with others, it is
of long duration—several months.
The Medical Besearch Council has, with a view to ascertaining
the unknown factors in the disease, formed a team of investigators,
and these are stationed at Cambridge. This team consists of both
laboratory and field workers.
To enable these workers to get as complete a picture as possible
of the incidence of the disease "The Jaundice Begulations" came
into operation in November. These Begulations provide for the
compulsory notification of cases of Jaundice in the Eastern Begion.