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bearing in mind the need for vaccination against smallpox during
the first months of life.
Food Poisoning (including Sonne Dysentery)
This year only one case of food poisoning was brought to the
attention of this Department- It would not be correct to say,
however, that this was the only case which occurred in Wood Green
during the year for many cases of food poisoning, including Sonne
Dysentery, are of such a minor nature that the family doctor does
not notify me of their occurrence. Indeed. many cases are so mild
that they are not even brought to the notice of the family doctor.
Forty cases of Sonne Dysentery were reported during the year.
On the whole I consider the over all picture relating both
to food poisoning and Sonne Dysentery to be good though there is
no room for complacency, since one never knows when, through the
carelessness or neglect of some food handler, we may be dealing
with a serious outbreak.
During the year, what appeared to be a true outbreak of
suspected food poisoning in a works canteen was brought to my
notice. In all, 35 persons were affected. The illness in each case
was brief, between five and twenty-one hours. Most of the persons
affected were known to have eaten steak pie. Unfortunately none
of this or any other foodstuffs served in the canteen on the day
in question were available at the time of my being informed, so
that it was not possible for specimens of the food to be sant for
laboratory examination. The Public Health Inspector concerned
interviewed the affected persons on the staff and all the members
of the canteen staff. Specimens were obtained from a number of the
persons affected These specimens, together with specimens submitted
by members of the canteen staff, were sent to Coppetts
Wood Laboratory for investigation The results in every case
were negative. The medical histories of the canteen staff were
carefully investigated with a view to ascertaining whether any
had suffered from diarrhoea, bails, septic cuts or sore noses.
No such connection was established The canteen in question is
clean and well run, while the manageress is competent and has a
sound knowledge of food hygiene.
Paratyphoid Fever
No cases of paratyphoid fever were reported in 1958.
Puerperal Pyrexia
One case of puerperal pyrexia was notified during the year.
The patient made an uneventful recovery.
Smal1pox
No case of smallpox occurred in Wood Green during 1958. Indeed
I was not even asked to see any doubtful rashes. I am glad to be
able to report that the number of mothers seeking vaccination for
their infants at the Child Welfare Clinic in Wood Green is still
on the increase. As Area Medical Officer, I have communicated with
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