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washing of hands after the use of the W.C. is our principal
protection against the intestinal carrier of Salmonellae.
Meningococcal Infections. NO case was notified.
Poliomyelitis. Twelve cases were notified in 1956,
compared with sixteen cases in 1955. Nine were paralytic and
three non-paralytic. Three were adults and nine were school
children. Four sporadic cases occurred during the Summer. In
November and December there was an outbreak of eight cases in
Cheam and Worcester Park. Two schools had two cases. One
school was closed for a week before the Christmas Holidays.
One case occurred in a hospital and the children's ward was
closed for two weeks. There were two cases in one family. Of
the paralytic cases, one, a girl aged twelve years, had severe
general paralysis involving the muscles of respiration and died
in March 1957. Two boys aged five and six years have paralysis
affecting both legs. A girl aged six years has weakness of one
arm and one leg. A woman aged thirty years and a boy aged ten
years have weakness of one arm. Three have recovered.
The paralysis which occurs in some cases of Poliomyelitis
is a matter of serious concern. It is hoped to reduce the
number of paralytic cases by protective vaccination. It is
necessary to recognise that minor febrilei illness may be a
prelude to Poliomyelitis and that early precautionary rest
reduces the risk of paralysis. Headache, sore throat, aches and
pains associated with malaise and fever are significant of
virus infection and require restin bed. Cases of mild reaction
to infection are liable to spread infection and due precautions
should be taken. During the year two hundred and thirty children
received injections of Poliomyelitis Vaccine.
Pneumonia. Of twenty four deaths from Pneumonia, three
were notified before death. The total number of notified cases
was twenty one compared with twenty nine in 1955.
Infestations. No case of Scabies or head lice was treated
at the clinic during the year.
Non-notifiable Diseases. School teachers reported two
hundred and sixty three cases of Chicken Pox, one hundred and
forty six cases of German Measles and nineteen cases of Mumps.
School returns areauseful indication of the prevalence of nonnotifiable
diseases and form a basis for consultation with the
school medical officer.
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