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*Information as to the result of treatment in two cases could not be obtained, as the mothers
and infants left the Borough and could not be traced, and in 2 other cases the patients were
still under treatment at the end of the year.
†Cause of death—prematurity.
roliomyehtis.— Five cases of poliomyelitis were notified in
the Borough during 1937. All the patients were removed to
hospital. One death from this disease occurred during the year.
Dysentery.—Twenty-eight cases of this disease were notified
during the year.
While investigating enteritis among infants it was found that
a certain dried milk product had been the only food, or for all
practical purposes the only food. Bacteriological examination of a
number of samples of this food fairly constantly revealed the
presence of an organism—a hemolytic streptococcus—which caused
some anxiety. Although insufficient data was available to conclude
in what degree, if any, this organism was the causal agent of the
enteritis, or even to prove its pathogenicity, its presence and potentialities
were regarded as most disturbing and calling for further
investigation.
The manufacturers of the food were notified as to the presence
of this organism in their product, the whole consignment in the
Council's control was withdrawn from sale and destroyed, and
information, bacteriological reports and samples of the food were
sent to the Ministry of Health for consideration.
The manufacturers gave the matter immediate attention and
appear to have taken effective steps to improve their product, as
reports from the Council's bacteriologists on subsequent samples
have been satisfactory.
Malaria.—There was one case of this disease notified during
the year.