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64
examination of the stools carried out as part of the investigation into other
symptoms of which the patient was suffering. The number of notifications
of food poisoning again bears no relationship to the true incidence of
the complaint.
Food poisoning is a subject which has received much attention in
recent years, especially as part of the activities of local authorities to raise
the standard of the handling of food. In spite of these activities though it
is doubtful if the incidence of food poisoning is in fact falling. The food
implicated in 1,281 outbreaks and family outbreaks since 1949 in the
country as a whole has been ascertained. In 827 or 65 % it was meat and
meat products. Of these 81 % were processed or made-up meat, so that
something more than one half of these outbreaks were the result of the
consumption of processed and made-up meat. To bring about a reduction
of such food poisonings, special attention should be paid to the education
of those dealing with these products and the provision of adequate coldstorage
accommodation ensured. The clean food campaign is most
desirable and it can be expected that raising the standards of the handling
of food at all stages will result in a diminution of infection ; but
apart from the carrying out of the diffused educative campaign special
attention has to be concentrated on these particular food stuffs to bring
about a reduction in the incidence of food poisoning.
ERYSIPELAS
28 notifications of persons suffering from erysipelas were received
during the year. 17 of the sufferers were females. In all but seven the
face was the site affected. 10 of the cases occurred in the first three
months of the year, 13 in the last four months. Six persons were admitted
to Isolation Hospitals for treatment.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION
In only four of the 11 persons suspected to be suffering from cerebrospinal
fever was the diagnosis confirmed. These patients fell ill at different
times throughout the year. All were removed to hospital for
treatment ; all recovered.
ACUTE ANTERIOR POLIOMYELITIS
In common with the rest of the country this district was rather
more heavily attacked by poliomyelitis in 1953 than in the previous year.
Although 48 persons were suspected to be suffering from this infection
the diagnosis was confirmed in only 18. The first of the cases occurred
in the week ending June 6th, the last in the week ending November
21st. The cases were spread out over this period of six months and on
no occasions were more than two cases notified in any one week. In a
number of weeks, of course, there was none, there being a period of
freedom for three weeks in September and again in October.
Males were much more affected than females, 13 against five cases.
Of the males 6 were paralytic cases, five non-paralytic and two abortive.
Of the females, 4 were paralytic and one non-paralytic. One case
was fatal, this being a man of 43.