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CEREBR0 SPINAL FEVER There were four cases of
Ceretire Spinal Fever during the year, and there were
three deeths of young children amongst whom the fatality
rate is Highest, Early diagnosis and early treatment
are the only means of preventing mortality from this
serious infection.
ACUTE ANTERIOR POLIOMYELITIS One case was
notified during the year of a child aged five, who
suffered from a severe attack, but who recovered'with
some residual paresis. There was one death of a boy
aged 16 years from Acute Polioencephalitis.
PNEUMONIA Of the thirty-five deaths occurring
from ail forms of Pneumonia, three were notified previous
to death. The total number of notified cases arising in
the district was thirty five.
INFLUENZA : - During the month of December the number
of cases of Influenza increased rapidly to epidemic
proportions. The type of illness was generally mild and the
average duration of illness was between four and seven days.
Residual debility was a common sequel and complication by
Bronchitis frequent. Schools and places of industry
suffered considerable depletion, but there was evidence
of rapid improvement at the end of the year.
A scheme for domestic and nursing assistance in homes
affected by Influenza was introduced with the assistance
of the Defence Staff, the Women's Voluntary Services,
the Youth Organisations and the British Red. Cross Society.
Fourteen calls were dealt with through these agencies,
and many were helned by the good spirit of neighbourliness
which prevailed in the streets,
NON-NOTIFIABLE DISEASES :- School teachers reported
214 cases of mumps, 128 cases of chicken pox, 22 cases of
German Measles, 36 cases of infective Jaundice, and 17 cases
of Scabies. The outbreak of infective Jaundice was
confined to one school and was controlled by rigid
exclusion of suspected cases. School notifications are
a useful index of the prevalence of non notifiable diseases
and form a basis for consultation with the school medical
officers.
SCABIES :- This skin infection continued to be
prevalent. The treatment clinic at the First Aid Post,
The Public Hall, Sutton, operated efficiently under the
direction of Nurse James, and dealt with four hundred
and fifty three cases during the year. The number
of attendances at the clinic for treatment and observation
was one thousand eight hundred and sixty three. The
reference of cases by doctors, and from schools and child
welfare clinics has heloed to provide information of the
true incidence of the disease, and towards the end of the
year there was evidence of a considerable reduction of
infection.
LICE :- The facilities provided at the First Aid
Post, The Public Hall, Sutton, have also proved of great
value in the reduction of the incidence of infestation
of head lice. Eighty four patients were treated during
the year. The number of attendances for treatment and
observation was three hundred and sixty nine.
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