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The question now arises as to which sanatorium one should choose, for the terms of admission
are very similar, and as regards treatment they both seem very efficient. In visiting Maitland
Sanatorium we had the advantage of meeting the Medical Officer of Woolwich, who stated his
Authority had had beds there for six years. He spoke very highly of the treatment and personal
supervision, and the interest taken in the patients by the Medical Superintendent.
We are very much impressed by the administration of this sanatorium, which has the
advantage of having beds for women and children and is somewhat less restrictive in the cases taken.
I therefore recommend the Committee to take the three beds in the Maitland Sanatorium. I also
recommend that the Committee adopt the following recommendations as a guidance in the choice of
patients:—
(1) Patients should be in quite an early stage, with reasonable prospect of cure.
(2) They should be residents of Bermondsey of at least one year's standing.
(3) People with a wage of over £2 10s. per week shall not be eligible.
(4) Patients should pay their own travelling expenses, hut power should be given
to the Medical Officer of Health to pay these expenses in those cases that cannot afford
them.
Cerebrospinal Meningitis.
5 cases of the above disease were notified, viz.:—
S. T., 4 years, male, of 1, Woolf Street, was notified on April 21st as suffering from
epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis. The disease was diagnosed in Guy's Hospital, where the child
was taken by the parents, and presented all the typical signs of this complaint, more so than any
other case which has been notified in this Borough. A bacteriological examination was made, and
the characteristic organism causing the disease was found in the spinal fluid.
As the organism which causes this disease has frequently been found on the Continent in
the nasal pharynx, i.e., the part of the throat situated above the soft palate and at the back of the
nose, I sent the members of the family who were in immediate contact with the patient to Guy's
Hospital Laboratory, where they were specially examined by Dr. Eyre. He found an organism in
the throat which has the appearance of the organism causing the disease, known as meningococcus,
but he was unable to state absolutely whether it was this organism, since it would take an extremely
long and exhaustive inquiry to ascertain this. As the disease has shown little tendency to spread,
I did not consider the results of such an inquiry would pay for the trouble and cost entailed. All
the "contacts" were kept under observation, the usual disinfection carried out, and the children
excluded from school.
D. J., 7 months, female, of 142, Tanner Street, was certified on April 17th as having
died from posterior basic meningitis. This disease is looked upon as a sporadic form of cerebrospinal
meningitis, but the symptoms differ somewhat. The usual precautions were carried out
in this case.
On May 25th, H. D., 6 months, male, of 41, Reverdy Road, was notified as suffering from
cerebro-spinal meningitis. The patient died on May 23rd in Guy's Hospital.
On June 11th 2 cases of posterior basic meningitis were notified, viz.:—
E. B., 17 months, female, 3, Staple Street, and C. M., 4 months, female, 60, Alice Street.
Both patients died in Guy's Hospital. The usual precautions as to disinfection, &c., were taken.
The death in the latter case was certified to be due to tubercular meningitis.
Anthrax.
The following is a list of the cases of anthrax in connection with the Borough notified
during 1910:—
Date Notified
1910.
Name and Address
of Patient.
Part
affected.
Source of
Infection.
Result of
Illness.
Occupation.
July 9th
A. C., Marcia Road.
Wharf labourer
Forehead
Foreign hides
Recovered
Recovered
Dec. 30th
C. L., Faircross
Avenue, Barking
Wharf labourer
Neck
Cape sheep
skins
Consultations.
I was called in by medical practitioners to assist in the diagnosis of doubtful cases of infectious
disease in 8 cases.
11 patients were also examined at the request of school teachers, parents, &c.
I examined at the Town Hall 23 phthisis patients, and 1 person who met with an accident
at an underground convenience.
I also examined 7 members of the Council's staff.