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35
During 1953 only 10% of the patients were not treated at
home as compared with 17% in 1952, 55% in 1951, 65% in 1950,
and 73% in 1949.
It is to be hoped that these figures indicate a continuation
of the tendency for this disease to become diminished in
its prevalence and severity during recent years.
Diphtheria
No cases of diphtheria were notified, for the sixth
successive year.
Intensive work was continued to immunise the school and
pre-school population against diphtheria, and the table at
the end of this report shows the stage reached by the 31st.
December, 1953. It is intended to continue with a vigorous
immunisation campaign to prevent any possible diminishing of
public interest in this service, occasioned by six years
freedom from the disease, and the complacency which may
result. Immunisation is just as necessary in the absence
of diphtheria as when it occurs,,
It will be seen that one death has been recorded from
this cause although no cases occurred during the year.
This is explained by the fact that a man aged 55 years died
from heart failure, the primary cause of which was diphtheria
which he contracted many years ago.
Poliomyelitis.
Five cases were notified during 1953. two being paralytic
and three non-paralytic. All were treated in hospital.
The two cases involving paralysis were in respect of a
housewife (27 years) and a girl (4 years) and they were
classified as "severe" and "moderate" respectively. Both
patients made satisfactory recoveries, and it was ascertained
that suitable arrangements were made for them to receive
physiotherapy treatment,, as hospital out-patients, for resulting
muscle weaknesses.
The nonparalytic cases occurred in a girl (15 years) and
two boys (5 and 11 years). The degree of severity of the
girl's illness was "moderate", and of the boys' "slight".
Each patient made a good recovery.
All of these cases were actively investigated, and all
necessary isolation, etc. precautions were taken. No connection
could be discovered between any of them, and each occurred in
a different month throughout the year.
Acute Infective Encephalitis.
No cases were recorded during 1953.
Enteric Fever (Typhoid or Paratyphoid).
No cases of typhoid or paratyphoid B were notified during
1953. This is the sixth successive year in which no cases of
typhoid or paratyphoid fever were notified.
Measles.
There were 302 cases of measles notified during 1953
(compared with 280 in 1952, and 443 in 1951), of whom four
only were removed to hospital. Generally speaking the illness
was of a mild type with little by way of complications, and
some increase as compared with last year was to be expected,
owing to the characteristic two yearly rise and fall of the
prevalence of this disease.
The 5-10 year age groups contained the largest number
of notifications (144) the majority of the remainder being
spread over the 1 - 5 year age period (342) and only 16 at
other ages.