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The cases of whooping cough occurring during 1956 were
mild with no deaths. Only 2 occurred in infants under the age
of 1 year, and 13 in children between the ages of 1 and 5
years. Of these 15 pre school-age children, 4 only are recorded
as having received combined diphtheria/whooping cough
injections. Two of these, both aged 4 years, ware immunised
in 1952, and were not quite due for the normal "booster"
injections, prior to contracting the disease.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
For the ninth successive year no cases of ophthalmia
neonatorum have been notified.
Puerperal Pyrexia.
The Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations 1951 define this illness
as a febrile condition occurring in a woman in whom a temperature
of 100.4°F or more has occurred within fourteen days
after childbirth or miscarriage. During 1956, 88 cases ware
notified, 21 of which referred to Kingston residents and all of
whom were notified from Kingston Hospital. These figures compare
with 72, 17 and 69 respectively for 1955. An analysis
for the years back to 1952 is shown below.

Pood Poisoning.
A total of 3 sporadic cases of food poisoning occurred
during 1956, and there was a total absence of outbreaks. In
each case a salmonella organism was isolated from specimens of
stool, whilst the results obtained from family etc., contacts
were all negative for pathogenic organisms. No particular food
or vehicle of infection was implicated. Only one case was in
respect of an adult, and he had suffered symptoms after eating
in Calcutta. He reported to his doctor on arrival hare in the
course of his duties as an airline pilot. All necessary precautions
were taken and he remained off duty until fit and
free from infection. The 2 other cases were in respect of
young children.
All efforts are made to maintain the highest possible
standard in the many eating places in the town, which cater
for thousands of visitors and business people each day. It is
to some extent a measure of the success of the vigilance maintained
and the standards practised that there were no
confirmed incidents of food poisoning.