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55
Nursing. By arrangement with the Chelsea District Nursing Association,
home nursing is provided for infants suffering from this disease.
INFLUENZA.
Influenza caused 30 deaths in 1925, as against 36 in 1924, 15 in 1923,
48 in 1922 and 23 in 1921. There was no serious epidemic prevalence
of the disease in 1925 and no special action was called for in the
Borough in regard to it.
Nursing Provision. By arrangement with the Chelsea District Nursing
Association all severe cases of influenza receive skilled nursing attention.
During the first quarter of 1922, when the disease was epidemic, an
additional nurse was engaged on the staff of the Nursing Association to
deal with cases for the Borough Council, the average number of visits
per case being 10.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
Four cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified during the year.
As a result of subsequent observation and investigation, two of these
cases were definitely regarded as not cases of encephalitis lethargica.
One death occurred, the case having been notified in 1924. Of the four
cases notified during 1925, three were treated in hospital—two in St.
George's Hospital and one in a hospital of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board. The remaining case was nursed at home. Twenty-six visits
to cases of encephalitis lethargica were made by the Woman Sanitary
Inspector during the year. The origin of each case was thoroughly
investigated but it was impossible to trace any connection between any
two cases.
Encephalitis Lethargica is undoubtedly infectious but the infectivity
is of very low nature. The sequelæ may be serious, as in most cases
some permanent damage to the brain tissue occurs. The disease was
made compulsorily notifiable from 1st January, 1919.
In the following Table No. 37, is shown the numbers of cases notified
in London and in Chelsea during the years 1921-1925.

* Case notified in 1924.