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Food Poisoning.
During 1954, there were only seven confirmed cases of food poisoning. These
included two small outbreaks, each outbreak being confined to an individual
family and involving only five persons in all. In one of these outbreaks, pork
which had been roasted and allowed to stand, was the food suspected as being the
cause of the trouble. In the other outbreak, after bacteriological examinations
carried out in respect of three members of the family salmonella typhimurium
organisms were isolated. Investigation failed to disclose the food which had caused
the food poisoning. Of the individual cases notified, salmonella typhimurium
organisms were found in the case of two of the patients.
Malaria.
There were three notified cases of malaria reported during the year, two of
which related to servicemen stationed in the Borough. All three patients received
hospital treatment.
Diphtheria.
Although general practitioners notified eight cases of suspected diphtheria,
there were again no confirmed cases. All eight patients were isolated in hospital.
The revised diagnoses were tonsillitis 4, glandular fever 2, virus pneumonia 1, and
acute laryngitis 1.
Dysentery.
During the months of May and June, 1954, there was a mild outbreak of sonne
dysentery in the Borough. A total of 88 cases were notified, of which 64 were
confirmed. Twenty-six of the patients were removed to hospital. A number of
specimens were obtained by the Sanitary Inspectors for bacteriological examination,
the organism shigella sonne being isolated in the majority of these cases. Follow-up
visits were made, where positive reports had been received. In the typical case the
patient experienced stomach pains and a rising temperature accompanied by
diarrhoea.
Measles and Whooping Cough.
These two diseases are both notifiable. The incidence of measles in the
Borough during 1954 was very slight indeed, only 54 cases being notified. However,
it was necessary for 24 of these patients to be removed to hospital. All except one
of the patients were under 10 years of age.
A number of notifications of whooping cough were received (234), of which 13
received hospital treatment owing to complications.
Scarlet Fever.
The number of notified cases of scarlet fever (154) was a considerable decrease
on the total of 215 notified during the previous year. Only 30 patients were in need
of hospital isolation. Disinfection by the Department was carried out after the
removal of the patient to hospital or after recovery in those cases where the patient
was satisfactorily isolated at home.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
All the 53 cases of puerperal pyrexia received during the year were notified
from the three large maternity units in the Borough.
Acute Poliomyelitis.
A total of 21 cases of poliomyelitis was notified in the Borough. However,
only 10 cases were subsequently confirmed, five being paralytic and five nonparalytic.
The revised diagnosis in the case of those patients found not to have the
disease was mainly tonsilitis. Seven of the patients were under the age of 10 years.
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