View report page

36
Poliomyelitis.
Ten children of school age were notified as cases of Infantile
Paralysis, but of these three only showed signs of paralysis on or
after admission to hospital. Follow-up visits were paid by the school
nursing staff with the following results:—
Case 1 (8 yrs.)—Residual weakness both legs. Continues
under hospital treatment.
Case 2 (11 yrs.)—Residual weakness of hip and leg. Wearing caliper.
Case 3 (8 yrs.)—No residual paralysis.
School 'Outbreaks'.
The year produced an average number of 'Outbreaks' and
brief particulars follow:—
March—at a Girls' Secondary School.
Twenty-nine cases of headache and nausea were reported,
not connected with school meals and with no obvious common
factor—probably epidemic nausea or 'Winter' vomiting.
June—at a non-maintained Boys' School.
Approximately 20 cases of nausea and vomiting including
teachers, boarders and domestic staff. There was a quick recovery.
Two specimens showed the presence of coagulaze-positive staphylococci.
Probably Winter vomiting.
September—(a) at an Infants' School.
A total of 21 cases between the 6th and 19th September and
including 12 cases of sore throat, 3 of diarrhoea, and 2 each of
headache and vomiting. Of those cases from whom throat swabs
were taken four showed haemolytic streptoccocci. The cases were
distributed all over the five classes and one teacher was affected.
(b) at another Infants' School
Twenty-six cases between the 15th and 23rd September—19
with vomiting, 4 with sore throat, 2 with diarrhoea and vomiting
and one with diarrhoea alone. All seven classes were affected.
Probably Winter vomiting. There was no connection between the
two schools.
October—at a Girls' Secondary School.
Two cases of nausea amongst children and two amongst
staff—apparently Winter vomiting.
11. IMMUNISATION
(a) Against Diphtheria.—152 primary immunisations were
done in children of school age and 1,292 "booster" doses were
given in school immunising sessions.