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MEASLES:- One hundred and sixty one cases were notified.
Of these six were from institutions. The disease was less
prevalent following the epidemic of the previous year. The
case rate was 2.23 per 1000 of population compared with 7.46
per 1000 of population for England and Wales. There was one
death of an adult from meningitis complicating measles. The
possible complications of measles have always to be considered
seriously, and careful nursing of all cases during the acute
phase of the illness is essential.
WHOOPING COUGH:- One hundred and two cases wore notified.
Of these thirty four were from institutions. There was no death.
The case rate was 1.41 per 1000 of population compared with
1.73 per 1000 of population for England and Wales. Whooping
Cough is a serious disease when it affects a weakly child, or is
complicated by pneumonia. Young children should as far as is
possible be protected from contact with active infectious cases.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA:- Six cases of Puerperal Pyrexia were
notified during the year. The case rate was 5.01 per 1000
total births, compared with 12.61 per 1000 total births for
England and Wales.
The early notification of Puerperal Pyrexia is of primary
importance in the prevention of maternal mortality. Medical
practitioners should make the fullest use of the consultant,
bacteriological and hospital services provided by the authority,
and secure the immediate and effective isolation of any suspected
cases occurring in maternity homes.
TYPHOID AND PARATYPHOID FEVER:- There was no case of
Typhoid Fever. One case of Paratyphoid Fever was notified,
and investigation did not reveal any source of infection within
the district.
DYSENTERY:- Fourteen cases of Dysentery were notified and
were all of the Sonne type. Although the disease is generally
mild, a number of these cases were severe, and suffered from
acute diarrhoea, with blood and mucous in the stools. The
disease is spread by the milder cases, who may only suffer from
minor degrees of abdominal discomfort, and particular care should
be taken by all concerned in the preparation and handling of
food, to ensure that hands, which are the common vehicles of
enteric infections, are properly cleansed.
CEREBRO-SPIITAL FEVER:- There were three sporadic cases of
Cerebro Spinai Fever, a reduction of ten cases on the number
during 1941. There was no death.
ACUTE AHTERIOR POLIOMYELITIS:- There was one notified case,
a child aged three year's, who recovered with some residual
paralysis of tho legs, and one death from Acute Polio-encephalitis.
PNEUMONIA:- Thirty one deaths occurred from all forms of
pneumonia. The total number of cases notified in the district
was twenty seven.
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