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Puerperal Pyrexia Six cases were notified in 1961, compared with
eight in 1960 No 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 request 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 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, in children, preferably
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 1961, one thousand one hundred and fifty three children received
primary injections, and six hundred and forty nine children received
reinforcing injections
It is also very desirable that all who work in agriculture or in stables
should be immunised.
Food Poisoning Two cases were notified in 1961, compared with
four cases in 1960. The cases were in one family and were caused by
Staphylococcus Aureus infection in a home cooked ham which was stared
for an excessive period under ideal conditions for the growth of germs.
A third member of the family did not eat the ham and so escaped illness.
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 two cases of Dysentery in 1961, compared
with forty seven cases in I960. Both were of the Sonne type, and both in
women. One developed symptoms after admission to hospital for another
condition, and the other worked in Kingston and had midday meals out.
No source was found in either case.
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