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151
1909
EPIDEMIC CEREBRO SPINAL MENINGITIS.
In March, 1907, this disease was, under an Order of the London County
Council, made notifiable in London, because just prior to that time considerable
epidemics had occurred in Ireland and Scotland, while cases had also cropped
up throughout England and in London itself.
During last year 10 cases were notified, of which 2 occurred in the first
quarter, 3 in the second, 2 in the third, and 3 in the fourth. These figures do
not differ very much from those of the preceding years, for in 1907 11 cases
were notified, and in 1908 7 cases were known. The particulars are seen in the
following statement:—
1907.
1908.
1909.
Total
Cases.
Total
Deaths
1907-09.
1st quarter — 2 2 4 2
2nd 3 2 3 8 1
3rd 5 — 2 7 1
4th 3 3 3 9 8
11 7 10 28 12
Fatality.—During the year two deaths were registered, and the fatality
was therefore 20 per cent. of the cases. Since the disease became notifiable, 12
deaths have been registered among 28 cases, and, therefore, the fatality in
Islington has so far been 42.8 per cent., which shows what a serious ailment
this is.
NOTIFICATION OF PHTHISIS.
On December 18th, 1908, a very important Order was issued by the Local
Government Board, making it compulsory on certain Poor Law servants to notify
the cases of pulmonary phthisis which came under their observation.
This Order was made in pursuance of Section 130 of the Public Health
Act 1875, as amended and extended by the Public Health (London) Act 1891
and the Public Health Act 1896, to provide for the notification of cases of
pulmonary phthisis occurring among the inmates of Poor Law Institutions, or
among persons under the care of Poor Law District Medical Officers.
It directs that—
(a) The Medical Officer of a Poor Law Institution shall, after recognition
of the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis notify the case to the Medical Officer
of Health of the district in which the person resided immediately before he
became an inmate.