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Food Poisoning.—Three complaints were received of illness
suspected to he due to food poisoning. In one case the
patient died, and it was thought that his illness might have
been due to the eating of tinned fish. Bacteriological investigations
carried out after the post mortem examination were
negative in so far as organisms of the food poisoning group
were concerned. Samples of the tinned fish were also examined
bacteriologically, with negative results. Although this patient
died with symptoms of acute gastro-enteritis, the accumulated
evidence indicated that food poisoning was not the cause.
In another instance, three members of a family became ill
after eating fish paste. Pull bacteriological investigation was
made. No organisms of the food poisoning group, however,
were isolated.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.—No case of this disease was notified
during the year.
Acute Poliomyelitis.—One case of poliomyelitis occurred.
This patient was removed to a general hospital in London,
where the case terminated fatally.
Encephalitis Lethargica.—One case of encephalitis lethargica
was notified. This patient was nursed at home, and
subsequently died of the disease.
Erysipelas.—Notifications were received in respect of seventeen
cases of erysipelas. In ten instances these were nursed
at home. One patient requiring removal was treated at the
Kingston County Hospital, and six at the Infectious Diseases
Hospital at gap Road.
There was no death.
Influenza.—A considerable number of cases of influenza
occurred in 1937. Twenty-seven deaths (six males and twentyone
females) were due to this disease. Twenty cases of
influenzal-pneumonia were notified during the year.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—Three eases of ophthalmia
neonatorum were notified. They were all treated at home, the
nursing being provided by the staff of the District Nursing
Association. Fortunately these cases were mild, and no impairment
of vision resulted.
Malaria, Dysentery, etc. No notification of malaria was
received. One patient was notified as suffering from amoebic
dysentery. He had returned recently from abroad, and received
treatment at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases.
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