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that they do not represent the total number of cases of food
poisoning and dysentery which have occurred during the period
under review, On the other hand, they are useful for comparative
purposes,and should at least show the average incidence of these
diseases within the Borough.
The scheme set out in my annual report for 1954 relating to
the exclusion of cases of diarrhoea, with or without sickness
from school has worked very well indeed. I am now satisfied that
it does allow us to control the spread of such diseases as dysentery
and winter vomiting without in any way dislocating the timetable
of a school. Minor difficulties were encountered from time
to time but on the whole the present system seems to be a great
improvement on older methods, which took up a great deal of the
time of Sanitary Inspectors and resulted in most instances, in
what was sometimes an alarming degree of absences from school. I
have therefore had no hesitation in continuing our present procedure,
at least for the time being.
Para-typhoid Fever
Two cases of para-typhoid fever were notified during 1955 So
far as we can ascertain, these cases were associated with Chinese
Egg products.
The Council will remember that I reported these cases fully
to the Public Health Committee and that the necessary investiga
tions, including the supervision of contacts, threw a considerable
additional burden on the Public Health staff, especially the Sanitary
Inspectors. The matter was also taken up with the Ministry
of Health and with the Central Public Health Laboratory, from
whom we received the greatest assistance in typing the responsible
organisms.
Although this does not strictly fall under the heading of
Para typhoid Fever", it may be mentioned here that other batches
of Chinese Egg products were encountered which contained Salmonella
organisms (among which the organism responsible for para-typhoid
fever is included). This was to say the least, disturbing Since
the first cases were reported,we have made a strict point of investigating
all batches of Chinese Egg products which we were informed
had been sent into the district. In several instances, we
asked that the products, which after examination were found to
contain Salmonella organisms, be sent back to the point of distribution.
I am glad to say that in every case,we received the full
co-operation of the local firms which were using the products. I
further understand that steps are now being taken to ensure that
all Chinese Egg products will be treated, if there is reason to
believe that they contain disease-producing organisms. No further
cases of para typhoid fever or of any other type of food poisoning,
traceable to Chinese Egg products have been reported in Wood
Green, It cannot yet be said, however, that the last has been
heard of this matter.
Puerperal Pyrexia
No case of puerperal pyrexia was notified during the year, as
was the case in 1954.This is a sure indication of the tremendous
improvement which has taken place within recent years in antenatal
supervision, midwifery and the timely and effective use of
antibiotics,
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