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Of the remaining patients six suffered from the Sonne type,
confirmed bacteriologically. The diagnosis was made without any
bacteriological examination in one case.
Four of the ten patients were children. The youngest of these—
aged 74 months—was discharged from hospital as "Enteritis." and
the Diagnosis of Dysentery was not confirmed. On the other hand,
two of the children aged 3 years and 6 years, respectively, were
admitted to hospital as "Enteritis," and subsequently found to be
suffering from Dysentery of the Sonne Type.
There was a large increase in the number of cases of Dysentery
and Enteritis notified in London and Greater London, towards the
end of 1936, but the cases .were apparently of a mild type in most
instances, the usual symptoms being vomiting and diarrhæa of two
or three days' duration, with abdominal pain in some cases and
generally a slight pyrexia.
The bacteriological services of the Borough Council are available
for differential diagnosis and the appropriate outfit for the collection
of faeces is sent to any Medical Practitioner on request. A circular
letter was sent to the Medical Practitioners of the Borough, pointing
out that there was an increase in the number of cases of Dysentery
and Enteritis, and drawing attention to the facilities available for
bacteriological investigation. This met with a ready response, and
there were numerous requests for diagnostic outfits.
Encephalitis Lethargica.
One case was notified during the year, the affected person being
a cook aged 52. She was admitted to an Infectious Diseases Hospital,
and the Medical Superintendent reported that the mode of onset
indicated that the patient was suffering from a cerebrovascular disease
rather than an acute infection, and a revised diagnosis of cerebral
thrombosis was made.
Enteric Fever.
One case occurred during the year. The patient, a boy of 5
years, was notified on, the 29th of December; he died in Hospital on
the 5th of January, 1938.