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6
Dysentery.
Ten cases were notified during the year. Of these, 6 were due to
an organism known as Shigella Sonnei, which is found widespread
throughout the country. Four were isolated cases, the remaining
two were sisters.
There were two cases caused by an organism known as Shigella
Flexner. The first case was the father who was an Air Steward
and contracted the infection in Colombo. He infected his 5 year
old daughter. Both patients responded well to treatment.
The last two cases were children who had definite symptoms of
dysentery but from whom no pathogenic organism could be isolated.
Food Poisoning.
Twelve cases were notified. In the main these were single isolated
cases but in two instances there was some spread of the infection.
In one household there were three cases due to Salmonella Typhimurium
and in another there were two cases due to Staphylococcus
Aureus. Two patients were infected at their place of work which,
in each case, was outside Richmond.
Considering the very large number of meals sold daily in the
district and vast numbers of week-end visitors I consider that the
small number of cases of food poisoning and dysentery reflects great
credit on those concerned with the preparation, sale, and storage of
food.
Paratyphoid Fever.
One isolated case was reported. This was a young woman who
contracted the infection while on holiday in Italy. She made an
uneventful recovery and there were no secondary cases.
Encephalitis.
This was the case of a child aged 5 years who was admitted to
hospital with symptoms of meningitis. He was very seriously ill
but finally made a complete recovery without a definite diagnosis
having been made.
It is quite possible that he was actually an unusual case of polio'
myelitis and that he should have been included under that heading.