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64
No cases of this complaint were notified in the borough, but we
have received notifications from the County Council of cases occurring
in other Metropolitan Boroughy.
Cerebro-spinal fever and poliomyelitis are now subject to compulsory
notification, and a few interesting facts have been elicited.
Some of the cases notified as cerebro-spinal fever turned out to be
poliomyelitis. Poliomyelitis shows a well-marked seasonal incidence,
there being a great increase during the hot months. It is also relatively
more common in the urban districts, although this may be due to the
cases being frequently treated in hospitals. Throughout the country
the mortality-rate in the case of poliomyelitis was 13 per cent. of the
notifications, and the permanently damaged formed 50 per cent. of
the total.
Acute Polio-Myelitis or Polio-Encephalitis.
No cases were notified during the period under report.
Plague.
No case of plague occurred during the year.
At the end of the year 1910 the Local Government Board issued
an order relating to the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Regulations
as to Plague and Destruction of Rats.
The Medical Officer of the Local Government Board prepared a
Memorandum on Plague, and recommended precautions against rats,
the most important of which are as follows:—1st. Persistently and
systematically destroy all rats. 2nd. Remove and obliterate their nests,
burrows and habitual haunts. 3rd. Make each dwelling as far as
practicable rat-proof, and remove all known harbourage for rats in or
near dwellings. 4th. At the same time do not allow waste of food
(whether for human beings, chickens or other animals) to accumulate
in or about the house.
Chicken Pox.
This disease was not notifiable in 1913, and there were no deaths,
although a fair number of cases occurred amongst school children.
Anthrax, and Hydrophobia in Man.
No cases of the above diseases were notified during the year.
Glanders.
One case of glanders was notified, viz., S. O. B., 17 years, of
Lewisham High Road. The patient was removed to St. John's
Hospital, where he died. Bacteriological examination confirmed the
diagnosis.
It was found impossible to trace the source of infection.