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46
1929, this being a case not notified in Battersea having occurred in
a mental hospital to which the patient was admitted 35 years
previously. The notified case was discharged from hospital after
10 weeks but was subsequently re-admitted suffering from Continued
Fever. The patient was stated to have had Enteric Fever in
South Africa 30 years ago.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
During 1929 three cases of Cerebro-Spinal Fever were notified
in Battersea, one of which was subsequently cancelled. One death,
which occurred in Hospital, was recorded from this disease, the case
being unnotified.
Encephalitis Lethargica.
Four cases of Encephalitis Lethargica (sleepy sickness) were
notified in Battersea during 1929. In one of these cases the
diagnosis was not confirmed and the notification was subsequently
cancelled. One death was recorded from this disease, giving a
death-rate of 0-006 for the year. One fatal (unnotified) case of
this disease occurred in 1928.
In 1929 the number of notified cases of this disease in England
and Wales was 1,041 and in London 98.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There were 43 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum notified in
Battersea during 1929 as compared with 39 in 1928, 48 in 1927,
35 in 1926, and 32 in 1925. The rate per 1,000 births was 16-4,
as compared with 14.2 in 1928, 17.1 in 1927, 11.8 in 1926, and
10.0 in 1925.
The disease was most prevalent in the less prosperous districts
of the Borough, East Battersea and North West Battersea contributing
79-1 per cent, of the total cases notified.
There were 6 severe cases amongst the 43 notified, all
which were removed to St. Margaret's (M.A.B.) Hospital for
treatment. No permanent damage to the eyes of infants suffering
from Ophthalmia Neonatorum or other inflammatory condition
of the eyes was recorded during the year.
During 1929 the number of visits paid by nurses supplied by
the Borough Council in cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum or other
inflammatory condition of the eyes of the newly-born was 2,052.
All cases were kept under supervision by the Health Visiting Staff,
by whom 164 visits were made.