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Poliomyelitis Sixteen cases were notified In 1955,
compared with two cases in 1954. Twelve were paralytic and four
non-paralytic. Two cases occurred in an institution. Twelve
were females and four were males. Of the twelve paralytic cases,
five were severe, four were of moderate severity and three were
relatively mild, A woman aged forty years and a boy aged nine
years have residual paralysis affecting arms and legs. A man,
aged forty-one years, who recovered from paralysis of the muscles
of respiration after treatment in an iron lung, has paralysis of
the left arm and weakness of the right. He has resumed light
work. Three girls aged one, three and eighteen years, who had
paralysis affecting both legs, are likely to become ambulant.
Four girls aged one, three, four and six years have residual
weakness of one leg. A girl of nine years, who is a spastic,
and a boy aged one year have weakness of one arm. The distribution
of the cases in age groups was as follows
Age: 1 3 4 5 6 9 14 18 40 41
No. Of
Cases: 321122 1 2 1 1
Of the cases, six were infants, six were school children and
four were adults. Three of the school children attended different
schools within the Borough. No secondary cases occurred in the
schools. There was no evidence of direct contact between cases
but some localisation occurred within wards.
The ward distribution of cases was as follows; -
Ward; N. N.W. N.E. W. C. E.C. E. S.W. S. E. S.
No. of
Cases,: 13 - 3 2-1 42
The residual disability which so often follows Paralytic
Poliomyelitis Justifies the urgent efforts being made to produce
and to apply a safe protective vaccine. Until a vaccine Is
generally available it is necessary for people to recognise the
possible significance of minor Indisposition during the season
of prevalence of the Infection It Is known that varying degrees
of reaction to infection occur. In one family three children
recovered from mild febrile Illness and a fourth with similar
symptoms developed paralysis of one leg... Rest in bed from the
onset of symptoms can be protective. Over exertion and emotional
fatigue predispose to paralysis,
Pneumonia, Of thirty one deaths from Pneumonia, none was
notified before death The total number of notified cases was
twenty nine,, compared with thirty nine In 1954 Influenza was
prevalent during January and February. Five cases of Influenzal
Pneumonia were notified Eight deaths were due to Influenza.
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