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Puerperal Pyrexia Eight cases were notified in 1960, compared
with twenty two in 1959. Only one case occurred at home. Puerperal
Pyrexia is "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".
Tetanus. A scheme for the immunisation of children against Tetanus
on reguest by parents is in operation. The Tetanus bacillus is present in
horse manure and in manured land. Infection enters the body through
contaminated wounds and abrasions which may be so slight as to escape
notice. The object of immunisation is to prepare the tissues in advance
to resist the Tetanus bacillus. All who work in agriculture or in stables
should be immunised. Children are prone to abrasions and should be
protected from the incidental risk of infection. At present it is a routine
to inject anti-tetanic serum after wounds. This serum occasionally
causes undesirable allergic reactions and its use can be avoided by
precautionary immunisation with toxoid before injury. Immunisation against
Tetanus can be given separately, or combined with immunisation against
Diphtheria and Whooping Cough, and must be sustained by reinforcing
injections at appropriate intervals. A record of the dates of injection
should always be carried on the person. During 1960, one thousand and
seventy five children received primary injections, and fifty two children
received reinforcing injections.
Food Poisoning Four cases were notified in 1960, compared with
fifteen cases in 1959. All cases were in one family and were caused by
Salmonella Typhimurium, The infection occurred during the Christmas
period, with relatives present. It was not possible to identify the source
of infection.
The low incidence of infections due to Salmonellae and Staphylococci
in food is satisfactory. Prevention of infection depends on scrupulous
cleanliness in the production, storage, manufacture and distribution of
food. The washing of hands after use of the W.C. is the most effective
protective measure against intestinal carriers of infection. Early
notification of cases of food poisoning is necessary so as to obtain the
residue of suspected food for bacteriological examination. No food
handler should ever be allowed to return to work without bacteriological
clearance.
Dysentery. There were forty seven cases of Dysentery. All were
of the Sonne type. Fifteen cases occurred in connection with a small
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