View report page

59
the time of birth, and if proper treatment is not applied immediately
the eyes are permanently damaged and the child is rendered blind
for life.
The extent to which this disease is prevalent in this country is
shown by the statements made by well-known authorities that over
one-third of the inmates of schools for the blind lost their sight as
a result of this disease. On the other hand, it is no less certain that,
if this disease is brought under efficient treatment when the symptoms
first make their appearance, the eyes can be saved from serious injury,
and the sight preserved.
Thirteen cases were notified during the year, and were visited by
the Health Visitors. Four of the cases were in the East Ward, four
in the North Ward, two in the North-West Ward, one in the South
Ward, and two in the South-West Ward.
Spotted Fever.
epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis.
Posterior basal meningitis is included in the term "cerebro-spinal
fever," but does not include meningitis due to tuberculosis, syphilis,
middle ear disease, and injury:
Fifteen cases of this complaint of which six were fatal, were notified
in the borough, and we have received notifications from the CountyCouncil
of a considerable number of cases occurring in other Metropolitan
Boroughs.
Cerebro-spinal fever and poliomyelitis are now subject to compulsory
notification. 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.
Acute Polio-Myelitis or Polio-Encephalitis.
Two cases were notified during the period under report and commenced
on November 9th with symptons of headache, localised
paralysis, drowsiness, twichings. It is to be noted that the majority of
cases occur in children and young people under 15 years of age;
the mortality in these is about 13 per cent, and the permanently
damaged form about 50 per cent, of the total.