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Acute Encephalitis (Lethargica-Type)
Six cases of possible acute lethargica-type encephalitis were reported during
the year.
These patients were under the care of Friern Hospital, and for some seventeen
months before, all had had symptoms suggestive of mental illness. On further
examination it was considered that the signs and symptoms were reminiscent of
epidemic encephalitis lethargica, but only in one case was the course as acute as the
disease at the end of the First World War.
It has been claimed in the literature that no new cases have occurred in the
last thirty-five years, but although it cannot be stated that these cases necessarily
represent a real increase in incidence, it may be that a disease of this type is
occurring more frequently than has been suspected. The development of post-encephalitic
parkinsonism would be required to establish the diagnosis.
It was emphasized that there was no suggestion of an epidemic, and no proof
that this illness was identical with encephalitis lethargica, but that it would clearly
be advisable for doctors to be on the alert in the future.
For further details, attention is drawn to a letter by Richard Hunter and Muriel
Jones of Friern Hospital, which appeared in 'The Lancet' of the 5th November, 1966.
Lead Poisoning
There were only two references to the department on the subject of Lead
Poisoning during 1966.
Of these, the first referred to information received from the Medical Officer of
Health, Stourbridge, regarding a firm in the Borough who had been supplied with a
brand of common tinned frying-pans (lead/tinned lined). The future manufacture of this
brand of pan had been stopped by the Medical Officer of Health, Stourbridge, subsequent
to an analysis report on the lead content and discussion with the Home Office and the
Ministry of Health. This action followed investigation of a case of suspected lead
poisoning in Surrey. The firm so notified, was visited, and after consultation it was
confirmed that only two frying pans remained in stock. These were purchased by the
department.
The other reference concerned a seven-and-a-half year old child who had been
admitted to hospital with a raised blood lead level, and a request was made for
domiciliary investigation into the source of the poisoning. Subsequently, a three year
old sister was found to have a raised blood level also. As a result of these
investigations, and the analyst's report on samples taken, it was agreed that all
lead paint surfaces from the family's two rooms be removed, particularly the heavy lead
paint on the kitchen wooden surfaces.
Leprosy
The Public Health (Leprosy) Regulations 1966 came into force on the 1st March,
1966. These regulations provided for the notification by medical practitioners to
medical officers of health of all cases of leprosy, and the transmission of this
information by medical officers of health to the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry
of Health. The Public Health (Leprosy) Regulations 1951 under which medical practitioners
notified cases of leprosy direct to the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health
were accordingly revoked.
The Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring that all information regarding
persons suffering from leprosy should be treated as strictly confidential and suggested
that any notification of leprosy should be sent in a sealed envelope to the Medical
Officer of Health by name and marked 'Personal' . He would then maintain a register of
such persons, and ensure its annual review.
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