London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
St Pancras 1916
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1916
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32
ANTERIOR POLIOMYELITIS.
9 cases of Anterior Poliomyelitis were notified during 1916. 7 of these
began in the period from August to November (inclusive).
The details of the cases are set out in the following table:—
| Date of Notification. 1910. | Age and Sex. | Date of Onset. 1916. | District. | Ward | Removal to Hospital. | Muscles affected. | Result. May, 1917. | Notified by. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 9 | F. 11 | Jan. 24th | W.l | No. | Right arm | Paralysis persists. | Medical Mission. | |
| April 11 | M. 4 | June, (1915) | N.5 | 2 | No. | Right leg. | Lost sight of. | Ditto. |
| Sept. 18 | M.3½ | Sept. 3rd | E.5 | 6 | No. | Both legs. | Able to walk, though badly. | R.M.O. at Great Ormond St. |
| „ 26 | F. 15 | Aug 28th | W.4 | 5 | No. | Left arm. | Arm better, but hand still affected. | Private Doctor. |
| Oct. 11 | M.l1/12 | Oct. 4th | S.3 | 8 | Royal Free Hospital. | Legs& trunk. | Died after six days' illness. | R.M.O. at Royal Free Hospital. |
| „ 16 | M. 4 | „ | E.5 | 6 | Great Ormond Street Hospital. | Right leg. | Partial recovery, able to walk | R.M.O. at Great Ormond St. |
| 27 | M.31/12 | Oct. 16th | W.l | 4 | No. | Both legs. | Complete recovery. | Ditto. |
| „ 28 | M.13/12 | Oct. 3rd | N.3 | 1 | No. | Ditto. | Contracture of L. foot. | R.M.O. at University College Hospital. |
| Nov. 24 | F. 5½ | Nov. 5th | N.2 | 1 | No. | Ditto. | Complete recovery. | Private Doctor. |
No source of infection or relation between the cases was discovered.
EPIDEMIC CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS.
The increased incidence of this disease which appeared in the borough (and
the rest of the country) in 1915 continued, with a slight reduction, in 1916.
21 civilian cases were duly notified, 4 of which afterwards proved not to be
suffering from this disease. In addition 3 other cases were reported after
death.
The number of true cases reported was therefore 20, giving an incidence
rate of 0.10 per 1,000 civilian population.
Of these 20 cases, 12 were fatal, making a case mortality of 60 per cent.
There were no "inward transfers," and the total number of St. Pancras
deaths was therefore 12, equal to a death rate of 0'06 per 1,000 civilian
population.