View report page

Puerperal Pyrexia- Fifteen cases were notified in 1954,
compared with twenty two cases in 1953. The revised definition
of Puerperal Pyrexia in the puerperal Pyrexia Regulations 1951
made notifiable "any febrile condition occurring in a woman, in
whom a temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Centigrade) or more
has occurred within fourteen days after childbirth or miscarriage".
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 and ensure the effective
isolation of any case suspected of infection and occurring in
a maternity or nursing home.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever. No case was notified.
Dysentery. Twenty four cases were notified in 1954,
compared with sixty cases in 1953. Twenty two were of the Sonne
type and were sporadic. Two were of the Flexner type. One was
related to an outbreak outside the Borough and the other to
residence abroad.
Sonne Dysentery is a highly infectious form of gastro
enteritis, and is spread by faecal contamination of hands and
food. Many of the cases are mild and transient, but some are
severely prostrated. The possibility of this infection should
always be considered in mild cases of diarrhoea, particularly
in food handlers. Prevention lies in the thorough disinfection
of w„Cs. and in the thorough washing of hands before the
preparing or eating of food.
Food Poisoning. Ten cases were notified. All were sporadic.
Five contracted infection outside the Borough.
35 Seven were due to