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
Holborn 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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74
I hey could be kept under observation in the same way as notified cases. Two such
cases reside in the Borough, both of whom were visited.
In the first case (P.L.) the illness commenced in 1920 and was reported to
have started with " sleepy sickness," and at the end of 1927 the following report
was made by the visitor:—" The left arm appears paralysed, but patient's sister
states that the patient uses it when angry. He is very dull when spoken to, but
after a time answers intelligently. No special treatment is being given."
The second case (W.P.) also commenced in 1920. The visitor reports that:
" This patient can do nothing for himself. Eight arm paralysed; does not walk;
mouth open, but tongue not out. The patient attends hospital monthly."
Information respecting two other non-notified cases was also furnished by the
Medical Officer of Health of the London County Council, but these patients are
still of school age, and according to the arrangements in force are supervised by the
L.C.C.
Acute Poliomyelitis.
No case of acute poliomyelitis or polioencephalitis was notified.
79 cases were notified in London.
From the coming into operation of the Poliomyelitis Order, 1912, to the end
The following table gives particulars of these cases with (he condition at the end of 1927: —
| Date of Notification. | Patient. | Age at date of Notification. | Where Treated. | Subsequent History. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/7/13 | F.D. | 1 8/12 years | Hospital | Died from diphtheria. |
| 23/10/13 | F.H. | 2½ „ | „ | Wears surgical boot and still O.P at Hospital. Health satisfactory. |
| 26/1/16 | A.C. | 4 „ | „ | Died 26/1/16. |
| 27/1/16 | T.B. | 4 „ | „ | Now working—dragging of leg hardly noticeable Health satisfactory. |
| 5/9/16 | F.B. | 2 months | „ | Died. |
| 6/6/20 | I. P. | 3½ years | „ | Recovered—no crippling. |
| 23/7/20 | E.W. | 15 „ | „ | No use of lower limbs. |
| 17/9/20 | E.H. | 1 8/12 „ | „ | Recovered—no crippling, "thinness" of leg only. |
| 4/9/22 | Y.R. | 1 10/12 „ | Home | Died in Paris. |
| 5/2/23 | J.N. | 3½ „ | Hospital | Recovered—no crippling. |
| 2/5/23 | M.H. | 11 mths. | „ | Again an out patient at Orthopædic Hospital, wears surgical boot— goes to school. |
| 14/8/25 | B.T. | 26 years | „ | Hotel guest; could not be traced. |
| 30/10/25 | V.H. | 5 „ | „ | Removed from Borough —lost sight of. |
The table excludes one case notified 4/12/18 who was subsequently found
not to be suffering from this disease.