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was tuberculous meningitis. Six examinations for meningococci were
made at the Lister Institute in 1920, all proving negative. In London
160 cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis were notified in 1920, as against
205 in 1919, and 231 in 1918.
Polio-Myelitis and Polio-Encephalitis.
No cases of either of these diseases were notified in Chelsea in 1920.
In London 48 cases of polio-myelitis were notified, against 101 in 1919,
and 50 in 1918; 6 cases of polio-encephalitis were notified in London
in 1920.
Puerperal Fever.
Eight cases of puerperal fever were notified in Chelsea in 1920, as
against 3 in 1919. All the cases occurred in the first half of the year.
There were 2 deaths. All but one of the cases were removed to hospital
or to the Infirmary.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Seventeen cases of this disease were notified in Chelsea in 1920,
as against 13 in 1919. An additional three cases of eye trouble in infants,
which were not notified, were visited, 35 visits in all being made by the
Health Visitors.
Ten cases were attended by District Nurses, 314 visits being paid
to the homes, which gives an average of 31 visits per case. Of the total
20 cases, 18 made complete recoveries, 1 made incomplete recovery,
and 1 infant remained blind of one eye.
Non-notifiable Illnesses.
The District Nurses paid 743 visits to the homes of expectant and
nursing mothers and children under 5 years of age, during the year 1920,
to attend to cases of bronchitis, worms, ear and nose discharges, septic
wounds, mammary abscess, and other minor illnesses.
Work of the Lister Institute : Venereal Disease.
Five specimens of pus were examined for the gonococcus in 1920,
two being positive and three negative, and 3 samples of blood for the
Wassermann (syphilis) reaction, all being negative. The facilities
afforded by the Borough Council, free of cost, in this connection, have
so far been but little utilised by medical practitioners.
Housing of the Working Classes.
Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, Section 28.
During the year 1920, notices under this Section were served upon
the owners of 24 houses to execute such works as may be necessary to
make the houses in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation.
In the case of 22 of the houses, the required works were carried out by
the owners in accordance with the specifications prepared for each house.
In the case of two houses belonging to one owner, the notices were not