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operation for appendicitis. One child received an inoculation 6
weeks before the onset of paralysis.
Two of the children attended the same private school. The only
mild case was the young brother of a girl who was severely affected.
Although 5 of the cases were dangerously ill, all recovered and residual
paralysis was much less than had been feared.
Preventive measures included closure of a private school for three
weeks exclusion and "house-and-garden" quarantine of close contacts.
Parents were informed and advised when a case occurred in a school
and all pupils were kept under observation.
An attempt was made to discover abortive or mild cases amongst
school absentees but this was unsuccessful.
All cases occurred in the northern part of the borough.
Food Poisoning.
During the year there were three outbreaks of food poisoning and
in addition, nine isolated cases occurred.
One of the outbreaks involved a large number of school children
and had a most dramatic onset.
Outbreak No. 1.
In the afternoon of Friday the 10th July between 3.30 and 4 p.m.,
a number of children were suddenly taken ill in school. Many became
ill on the way home, some being picked up by Ambulance and taken
to the Royal Hospital. 31 cases reported to hospital and, of these,
12 were admitted. The more severe cases showed shock and prostration
with vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. The majority
made rapid recoveries and were discharged home next day.
Immediate enquiries showed that all schools supplied with meals
from Gainsborough Central Kitchen had been affected.
The outbreak occurred at a difficult time but Dr. Hill (in my
absence) and the Chief Sanitary Inspector were able to recall the
kitchen staff and start immediate investigations. These continued
throughout the week-end, and by Monday, it was possible to take
action to prevent the occurrence of further cases.
It soon became apparent that every patient had consumed artificial
cream made on the same day from dried milk supplied under arrangement
made by the Ministry of Food.