View report page

26
leather. There were some samples of wool in the office, but he was not
supposed to touch any of these. A dealer in scheduled horsehair and bristles
occupied a small room on another floor, and the housekeeper had swept up
loose hair from the floor there from time to time. This room and its contents
were disinfected, as being the possible source of infection.
The facts were reported to the Home Office, with the suggestion that
samples as well as the bulk of consignments from which they are taken should
be disinfected, especially as they are more likely to spread the disease.
CEREBRO SPINAL FEVER.
(Epidemic Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.)
This disease (referred to in the Annual Reports for the years 1906 and
1907), was first made notifiable for a period of six months, by order of the
London County Council, as from the 12th March, 1907.
The order was duly approved by the Local Government Board, and was
renewed from time to time until the 12th March, 1909, An order was then
made for a further period of twelve months, as from the 13th March, 1909,
and applies to the Administrative County of London, and thus includes the
City. The order has been further extended for another year, from the
13th March, 1910.
By the advice of the President of the Royal College of Physicians it has
been decided, that for notification purposes, the disease at present known as
posterior basal meningitis is included in the term "cerebro-spinal fever."
This term, however, is not to be interpreted to include cases of meningitis
due to tuberculosis, syphilis, middle ear disease or injury.
The details of the cases of cerebro-spinal fever reported as occurring in
adjacent Metropolitan Boroughs are carefully examined in case any connection
with the City should be disclosed.
No case has been reported within the City since the disease first became
notifiable.
PHTHISIS.
The Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1908, which became
operative on the 1st January, 1909, require that medical advisers and certain
officials of Boards of Guardians shall notify to the Medical Officer of Health
the particulars of cases of "poor persons" suffering from pulmonary
tuberculosis that are brought to their notice.