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poisoning were reported, while Sonne dysentery remained at a
very low level.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
No cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified during the year,
as against two in 1953. No deaths were attributable to puerperal
causes.
Having regard to the fact that, in the vast majority of cases,
puerperal pyrexia is no longer a disease which either kills or even
incapacitates, it has been claimed that notification is no longer
required. It would certainly be true to say that most cases of
puerperal pyrexia are due to such simple causes as constipation or
a common head cold occurring shortly after childbirth. Against
this we know that there are other causes for a rise in temperature
during the peurperium, and that these causes may be highly significant.
As midwives must be prevented at all costs from moving
from one infected mother to another, it would seem highly proper
that even the mild conditions now known as puerperal pyrexia
should continue to be brought to our notice.
Smallpox.
No case of smallpox occurred in Southgate during the year.
Indeed, only one doubtful rash was reported. It was necessary in
this case to call for the services of one of the experts appointed
by the Ministry of Health, as the illness had several features of a
highly suspicious nature. Fortunately, the final diagnosis was
chicken-pox.
I am glad to be able to report that the number of mothers
seeking vaccination for their infants at Child Welfare Clinics in
Southgate shows a definite increase. I have communicated with
general practitioners, asking them to advocate vaccination as
strongly as possible, because of the extremely low vaccination state.
prevailing throughout the country. Southgate practitioners will
shortly be supplied with an attractive display card urging vaccination
as well as immunisation. I have asked them to display this
card in their waiting rooms, and have little doubt that they will
co-operate.
Tuberculosis.
Forty-two cases of tuberculosis (35 pulmonary and 7 non-pulmonary)
were notified during the year, as against 65 in 1953.
Distribution of cases notified among the various wards was as
follows:
North-east North-west Middle South
9 7 9 17
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