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10
Infectious Diseases.
From the table it will be seen that deaths from, and the
incidence of notifiable infectious disease compares favourably with
other towns and the country as a whole.
Again I am pleased to report that there was not a single case of
diphtheria. The last confirmed case occurred in 1945 and, prior to
this, cases and a few deaths were recorded every year. There is no
doubt that the immunisation scheme which was commenced in 1934
has saved the community a large amount of sickness and a number
of deaths.
The epidemic of infantile paralysis which was country wide in
1947, spread to Richmond rather late in that year. In 1948 eight
further cases occurred. Early in the year an adult male was seriously
affected by the disease and died after a few days in hospital. Apart
from this I am glad to report that the other patients made good
recoveries.
Three girls aged 11 attending one of the local schools developed
the disease within a few days of one another. This gave rise to
considerable anxiety as it was felt that further cases might well
occur. Every precaution was taken with the fullest co-operation of
the school staff and there was no further spread of the infection.
The three pupils all made complete recoveries.
The remaining patients were as follows; girl aged 14; boy aged
18 months; woman aged 21; male aged 24. This illustrates clearly
that the disease is by no means confined to the very young and that
the name "infantile paralysis'" can be very misleading.
Apart from the three school girls no connection was discovered
between the cases. In no case was it probable that the infection had
been contracted while swimming in the river or public swimming
pools. Overcrowded housing conditions did not seem to play any
part, and the cases were scattered throughout the Borough.
All the patients were in excellent health before they contracted
the disease.
Prevention is therefore extremely difficult, and all that one can
advise is that young people should avoid crowds and excessive
fatigue when cases are occurring, and that the importance of general
hygiene should be remembered at all times.