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1927
36
been effectively sterilized. In this particular instance, however, the infection was
traced to contact with material from an animal house. I he lad had assisted, with
others, in the removal of an elephant which had died, and been cut up. While he
was the only infected case in this Borough, there were others elsewhere. A
careful watch was kept for possible contacts developing the disease. I here were,
however, no others. After hospital treatment the lad made a good recovery.
The Public Health Committee had under consideration a report by the Medical
Officer of Health on the case, and it was found that under the Orders relating
to Anthrax, which have been made by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries,
pursuant to the Diseases of Animals Act, it is the duty of a Veterinary Surgeon
to notify cases in respect of cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, asses, mules,
dogs and cats only. It is known, however, that Veterinary Surgeons are called
in to attend other animals than those specified, and the Committee were of opinion
that it is desirable that the precautions against anthrax should be applied to any
animal. The attention of the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries was drawn to the matter, also the London County Council, who were
asked to support the representation which has been made to the Ministry.
Acute Encephalitis Lethargica and Acute Polio-Encephalitis.
These diseases became notifiable under an Order of the Local Government
Board on the 1st January, 1919. During the year 7 cases of Acute Encephalitis
Lethargica were notified, which is a decrease of 14 cases on the return of the
previous year, whilst 4 deaths were registered ; or 57 per cent, of the notified
cases.

No case of Acute Polioencephalitis was known in the Borough.
Ophthalmia Neonatorium. Purulent Disease of the Eyes of Newly-born Children.
See p. 10.
Tuberculosis.
640 cases of Tuberculosis in its different forms were notified during the year.
The attack rate was equal to 1.91 per 1,000 of the civil population. This number
shows a decrease of 64 on the return of the previous year, and of 0.17 per 1,000
on the attack-rate. This is the lowest number recorded since the compulsory
notification of this disease.
Respiratory (Pulmonary) Tuberculosis.—536 notifications were
received, of which 314 referred to males and 222 to females, and represented an
attack-rate of 1.6 per 1,000 inhabitants. This number was a decrease of 6 on that
of 1926.