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
Camberwell 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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Obstetric Specialist Services.
The services of the Council's consulting gynaecologist, Mr.
Arnold Walker, were requested by general practitioners on six
occasions during 1933.
Acute Poliomyelitis and Polioencephalitis.
Two cases of this disease were notified during the year 1933.
Both patients were removed to Hospital.
A supply of serum obtained from patients convalescent from
acute poliomyelitis may be obtained at the Western Fever Hospital,
Seagrave Road, S.W.6, for the treatment of patients in the preparalytic
stage of the illness, or exceptionally in a pyrexial phase
where the symptoms indicate a rapidly progressive invasion of
the spinal cord.
Encephalitis Lethargica. Four cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified during the year. Particulars of these cases are as follows:—
| Sex. | Age. | Date of Notification. | Date of Onset. | Subsequent history. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *M. | 24 | Mar. 3rd, 1933 | Mar. 3rd, 1933 | Died Mar. 31st, 1933. |
| F. | 30 | April 6th, 1933 | Feb. 25th, 1933 (About) | Died June 28th, 1933. |
| M. | 11 | July 29th, 1933 | July 19th, 1933 | Physical condition stated to be normal. No paralysis. |
| F | 25 | Sept. 20th, 1933 | 22nd Aug. 1933 | Still in hospital. |
* This diagnosis was subsequently amended to Cerebro Spinal Meningitis.
After Care of Cases of Encephalitis Lethargica.
The sequelae of the initial illness may not appear for some
considerable time. Every case notified in previous years was
visited periodically for the purpose of rendering assistance to the
patient and family and the furnishing of progress reports.
The following table gives information up to the end of 1933 respecting the cases notified in previous years which are still under observation by this Department:—
| Number recovered | 2 |
| Died | 2 |
| No. in L.C.C. Institutions | 5 |
| No. in asylums | – |
| No. attending Hospital or otherwise and undergoing treatment | 17 |
| No. suffering from after effects and not receiving treatment | – |
| No. left district | 2 |