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102
In addition to these cases of food poisoning there were also 10 cases
of dysentery notified during 1969. This compared with 4 cases of food
poisoning and 18 of dysentery in 1968. Therefore taking both infections
together there was one additional case in 1969 compared with the previous
year. For a number of years there have been minor fluctuations in the
number of notifications received for these diseases but in this connection
one must bear in mind the large number of working days lost through
"intestinal upsets." This is not acceptable in a modern society because
eradication of these diseases is possible and the control lies in the hands
of the general public themselves. All that is required are simple routine
hygiene measures, particularly in association with food handling and
preparation.
Tuberculosis
In order to control any infection it is essential to have exact information
regarding the magnitude of the problem which faces the community.
Moreover, with diseases such as tuberculosis where the morbidity
and infectious state can extend over considerable periods of time it is
essential to keep accurate and up date records of everyone affected.
The tuberculosis register gives valuable information as to the age and
sex distribution of those who are currently infected and resident in the
district. In addition inter-authority co-operation ensures that when
infected persons move into a district, not only are their names added to
the receiving authority's register but such residents can be speedily
informed of the local treatment facilities. Names are deleted from the
register on the removal of persons from the district, or on death or
recovery; the accepted standard of recovery being a period of 5 years in
pulmonary cases and 3 in non-pulmonary cases from the date the disease
was arrested, during which time the patient has remained fit and well.
The following tables gives the age and sex distribution of persons who
were resident in the district when it was recognised that they were suffering
from tuberculosis, of those who moved into the district already suffering
from the disease, and also a summary of changes in the register.