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(d) Dysentery.
Forty-two cases of Dysentery were notified. Thirty six of these were
due to Shigella Sonnei, and six were unclassified.
(e) Food Poisoning.
During the year, 35 cases were notified, which proved to be suffering
from food poisoning. In addition 22 proved indefinite.
The following table sets out details, as required by the Ministry of
Health.

On the 14th September, my attention was drawn to cases of Food
Poisoning amongst the Canteen Staff at a school in the district. On
investigation, it was ascertained that, of 15 members of the staff who
had partaken of the mid-day meal on the 11th September, 10 had mild
gastric pains and diarrhoea early in the morning of the 12th September.
These symptoms lasted for a few hours and all were better by the 14th
September.
Samples of food partaken were sent for bacteriological examination,
and also specimen samples from the patients. Those from the beef, and
from some of the patients, showed evidence of Clostridium welchii.
Although approximately 600 children also partook of the same meal,
none were affected, and it is difficult to give any explanation of this.
(f) Measles.
Measles, which was in epidemic form during the latter part of 1958,
continued in this form during the first few months of the present year.
Altogether, throughout the year, 2,260 cases were notified.
(g) Scarlet Fever.
The notifications numbered 206, and the type continued mild, as it
has now been for many years.
(h) Smallpox.
No cases occurred, and no contacts required to be kept under
surveillance.
Table 18 gives the statistics, relative to Vaccination, as recorded by
the General Practitioners.