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cerebrospinal fever. 21
Mortality in Childbed.—In addition to 2 deaths from puerperal fever, there were 10 deaths
from "Accidents and Diseases of Parturition," the total of 12 deaths in childbed being equal
to a fatality of 4.11 per 1,000 children born, which rate was 0.31 above the mean rate for the
five years 1905-09 (Table 16). The local rate was less than either of the rates observed in
Westminster (4.22), or Marylebone (5.80), but higher than any of the other rates given in the
Table referred to.*
Erysipelas.—The cases of erysipelas numbered 100 last year, 6 fewer than in 1909, and
the morbidity rate (0.65) was 0.16 below the quinquennial mean rate (0.81). Usually the
prevalence of this disease is greater among males than females, but last year the position was
reversed (Table 5). The greater part of the diminution in the morbiditv rate was among
males.
Two cases were reported during the year from each of two houses, the dates of the
secondary cases in each instance pointing to direct personal infection from the first. Of the
100 cases, 10 were treated in institutions (including 6 in Poor Law Infirmaries).
Other Septic Diseases.—Under this heading are included deaths from erysipelas and certain
other septic diseases which are not notified. The complete list of deaths recorded last year
under this heading is as follows :—
M. F. M. F.
Erysipelas 1 2 Cancrum Oris — 1
Pyaemia 2 1 Cellulitis 1 3
Infective endocarditis 2 2 Phlegmon, Carbuncle 1 —
The mortality last Year was 0.10 per 1,000 persons, as compared with 0.07 in the
preceding year, and a mean rate of 0.09 for the five years 1905-09.
CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER.
The diseases included under this term are cerebro-spinal fever, cerebro-spinal and
posterior basic meningitis. Seven cases were notified during the year, but it is doubtful
whether more than two of them fall within the intention of the Order for notification. All
the patients were females, their ages distribution supporting the doubt already expressed. Five
of the patients died. The notes of the cases are as follow :—
1. F., ætat 8 mos., ill from Oct. 26, '09; removed to hosp. and died Jan. 31, '10.
Cause of death—" Posterior basic meningitis of long standing."
2. F.,ætat 18, notified Feb, 24; removed to hosp. Mar. 3; died Mar. 14.
Cause of death—"Tubercular meningitis."
3. F., ætat 11 mos., notified May 3; removed to hosp. April 22; recovered.
Bacteriology—Intracellular diplococcus, Gram negative.
4. F., æstat 20, notified June 13 ; removed to hosp. May 23; recovered.
Bacteriology—Intracellular diplococcus, Gram neg., not growing on " Nasgar."
5. F., ætat 46, notified July 21; treated at home ; died July 11.
Cause of death—"Cerebro-spinal meningitis" (by exclusion, no post mortem).
6. F., ætat 12, notified Aug. 29; removed to hosp. Aug. 22 ; died Aug. 29.
Cause of death—" Cerebro-spinal fever."
Bacteriology—Staphylococcus infection.
7. F., ætat 3, notified Nov. 28; treated at home; died Dec. 1.
Cause of death -" Cerebro-spinal meningitis."
Verminous conditions were reported in connection with cases 3 and 4, both of which
ended in recovery, and were the only two in which bacteriological examination yielded
results pointing to true cerebro-spinal fever.
*Mortality rates per l,000 females, aged 15-45 years, are also given in Table 16, but no comment is made
thereon, as the estimates of the numbers of women are too untrustworthy.