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The next case notified was an expectant mother aged 31 years who
was admitted to hospital on 25th July. She was a paralytic case. On
7th August she died from paralytic poliomyelitis.
On 14th August a youth of 18 years, was admitted to hospital
suffering from non-paralytic poliomyelitis. The five remaining cases
occurred in October, November and December, four of the five being
removed to hospital. No case of poliomyelitis occurred in a vaccinated
person.
In view of the virulent form of the disease certain precautions were
advised during the summer months. The measures advised included
the temporary suspension of immunisation against diphtheria and
whooping cough and the postponement of swimming galas at the Public
Baths. Frequent samples of water were taken from the Public Baths
to ensure that the chlorinating plant was working efficiently and that the
water was chlorinated up to the requisite strength.
In 1956 there were 7 confirmed cases.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA.
The Pueperal Pyrexia Regulations 1951 define this illness as any
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 the year 25 notifications were received, all cases occurring
in hospital. Of the 25 notifications, 20 of the patients had addresses
outside the Borough.
In 1956 10 cases were notified.
MEASLES.
There were 660 cases notified during the year compared with 64 in
1956. Measles is usually prevalent in alternate years and the high incidence
of the disease during 1957 was not unexpected. A case of
measles occurred in one of the Wimbledon Day Nurseries during the
early part of the year, and in view of the prevalence of the disease in
the district at the time, arrangements were made for susceptible children
to have an injection of Gamma Globulin in order to prevent them from
developing measles in a severe form.
Fifteen susceptible children were injected, and it is gratifying to
note that a number of these children who did eventually develop measles
did so in a very modified form, with little constitutional upset.
PARATYPHOID FEVER.
There was one confirmed case. This was a man who had returned
to this country from the Persian Gulf on 19th October. On 6th November
he was admitted to hospital where he was diagnosed as a case of
Paratyphoid Fever. Bacteriological investigations were carried out in
respect of the remainder of the family but these proved negative.
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