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10
The second outbreak occurred at a large mental institution
for old ladies. Here again the infection was from case to case,
and in view of the favourable conditions for the spread of infection,
it is fortunate that the number of cases was limited to
22. These were dealt with by isolation in a special ward.
MALARIA.
I drew attention in my report for last year to a new feature
in the notification of a number of cases of malaria in soldiers
contracted while serving abroad, and mentioned that it was not
anticipated that any difficult problem was likely to arise by
infection of the ordinary civilian population. A further twentyeight
similar cases among the military were notified during the
year.
SCABIES.
The scheme for the treatment of scabies referred to in recent
reports continued successfully. The total number of families
affected was slightly more than during the previous year.
During 1945, 545 persons from 150 families received treatment.
Of these 298 persons showed definite lesions, the remainder
being contacts in the same families.
In addition 34 children in a residential institution, of whom
27 showed lesions, received treatment.
VERMINOUS CONDITIONS.
Cases of infestation by the head louse were referred to
the department from various sources from time to time, and
Ihese were treated by the Public Health nurse. 32 cases from
13 families were treated in this manner. There is still great
scope for improvement in the cleanliness of the population in
this respect. The supervision of children in school only is not
sufficient, as they are frequently re-infested by younger children
or older women in the home. The Public Health nurse works
in close co-operation with the school authorities by visiting the
homes of infested children, and treating the relatives where
necessary as well as the school children.
No ease of body louse infestation came under notice.