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12
Scarlet Fever
There were 24 notified cases of scarlet fever in 1963. This was the lowest
recorded figures and was less than half the number for 1962, the previous lowest.
Measles
The incidence of this disease has a biennial cycle, and 1963 was a year of high
incidence. There were 957 notifications compared with 296 in the previous year. No
deaths arose from this cause.
Whooping Cough
There were 92 notifications of this disease in 1963, which was a sharp increase
on the previous year when only 14 cases occurred. Oie death resulted in a baby girl
aged six months who had not been immunised. This increased incidence emphasises the
need for continued vigilance and active immunisation at an early age.
Food Poisoning
12 cases of food poisoning were notified and the organism was isolated in six of
these as follows:-
s. typhimurium 2
s. heidelberg 2
s. give 1
staphlococcus 1
An outbreak of food poisoning occurred in a factory in September where the causal
organism was identified as CI. welchii. It was thought that the food giving rise to
the illness was chicken voi-au-vent which were prepared from trimmings of carcases
cooked the day previously and reheated and after the addition of a white sauce, put
into the pastry cases. It appeared that the canteen staff did not fully understand
the precautions required in handling pre-cooked and reheated foods.
There was also an outbreak of food poisoning amongst the Council's staff following
their Annual Dinner, where the cause was traced to CI. welchii. The Dinner took
place in an adjoining Borough where the outbreak was investigated and the Department
co-operated in obtaining specimens and case histories from those affected.
Dysentry
There were 27 notified cases of dysentry. The illness was generally of a mild
character.
Staff Medical Examinations
Eight of the 105 candidates medically examined during the year before appointment
to the staff, failed to pass the examination. Ghe case was reported upon because of
liability of an undue amount of sickness and the other seven were failed for the
following reasons:-
Hypertension 3
Bronchitis 1
Tuberculosis 1
Heart disease 1
Psychoneurosis 1