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the W. C. and before handling food was accepted and applied by all
food handlers,
Cerebro Spinal Fever, No case was notified.
Poliomyelitis. Fifteen cases were notified compared with
six cases in 1952. Nine were paralytic. Of these four recovered
completely. A boy of ten years died of Acute Bulbar Paralysis.
A girl of seventeen years has severe paralysis affecting the legs.
Three cases have residual paralysis. A girl of seven years
recovered completely from partial paralysis of the Diaphragm
after treatment in an iron lung. All the non-paralytic cases
recovered.
Poliomyelitis has been recognised as a spray infection from
the throat and nose. It is now known that in addition the. virus
multiplies in the bowel of the patient and it is probable that
faecal contamination plays an important part in the spread of the
disease. In our everyday lives there is a constant passage of
faecal organisms by hand to hand exchange and through contact
with handled objects and food. The washing of hands after use of
the W. C. is as essential a precautionary measure against the
spread of Poliomyelitis as it is against Food Poisoning.
There is new knowledge that the virus enters the blood stream
from the bowel. It is hoped that the production of antibodies in
the blood by the use of vaccines may prevent the entry of the
virus to the nervous system. The path of entry is not yet clear.
Research on vaccines is proceeding and, although promising, is
still in the experimental stage.
It is known that excessive emotional or physical fatigue
facilitate the passage of the virus and that rest is protective.
Any mild febrile illness suggestive of an infection should be
treated with caution during the season of prevalence of Poliomyelitis.
The hospitals are doing excellent work in reducing disablement.
The supporting social service of the Infantile Paralysis
Fellowship is giving hope and happiness to many patients.
Pneumonia. Of thirty deaths from Pneumonia one was notified
before death. The total number of notified cases was eighty
eight compared with forty one in 1952. Influenza was prevalent
during the first quarter of the year and sixty eight cases of
Influenzal Pneumonia were notified.
infestations. Five cases of Scabies and ten cases of
infestation by lice were treated The number of attendances at
the clinic for treatment was fifty five. This compares with two
cases of Scabies and sixteen cases with lice and seventy two
attendances for treatment In 1952.
Non-Notifiable Diseases, School teachers reported forty nine
cases of Chicken Pox, twenty nine cases of Mumps and fifty eight
cases of German Measles. School notifications are a useful
indication of the prevalence of non-notlflable diseases and form
a basis for consultation with the school medical officer.
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