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Diphtheria.
Twenty-five cases of diphtheria were notified to the health department and admitted
to the Isolation Hospital during 1946. Eleven were not confirmed as diphtheria and the
total therefore was 14 positive cases, the majority of which were carriers. All cases were
mild in character, there were no deaths from diphtheria, and complications occurred only
in three cases, i.e., cardiac irregularity in two, and palatal paralysis in one. This case was
discharged cured.
Diphtheria Prevention.
There was an improvement in the number of children brought for immunisation
against diphtheria in 1946, and it is assumed that the continuous propaganda amongst
clinic mothers and in the homes and schools has obtained this improvement. The proportion
of children at the age of one year who are brought for immunisation to the total estimated
number in the district is not yet quite satisfactory. The new cases attending for immunisation
was 974 and was 11% up on the 1945 figure.
Diphtheria immunisation is carried out on Monday afternoons at the Branch Health
Centre, and on Thursday afternoons at the Featherstone Road Clinic.
Table J
Number of sessions held 101
Total attendances made 4,218
Average attendance per session 41
Highest attendance at a session 79
Lowest attendance at a session 9
During 1946 the number of new cases was 974
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Three cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were notified in 1946 and all recovered during
the year.
Acute Poliomyelitis.
No cases were notified in the Borough during the year.
Notifiable Diseases during the Year.
For the incidence of various infectious diseases, excluding tuberculosis, notified
during the year, under age groups, locality, and certain cases occurring among school
children, see Appendix, Tables XXV, XXVI and XXVII.
Infectious Disease Visits.
During the year, the Health Visitors paid 526 visits with reference to cases of
infectious disease. 80 swabs were taken. The total number of children examined by
the Health Visitors in the schools was 489.
Uncleanliness and Verminous Conditions in Schoolchildren.
Number of children on roll at 31st December, 1946 6,885
Total number of examinations of children in the schools by
the school nurses 26,873
Number of individual children found unclean 1,155
Number of children cleansed under arrangements made by
the Local Education Authority 426
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