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10 "MENINGITIS" GROUP.
One patient (f.,æt 46), reported during the year with erysipelas in the head, following the bite of an
insect, had been previously notified with the disease on three occasions, viz., once in 1921 and twice
in 1922.
Fourteen patients (26 per cent. of the notified cases) were treated in the Paddington Hospital.
One death from erysipelas (a female aged 75) was recorded, compared with 3 (male, 1; females,
2) in 1922. The mortality rate was 0.006 last year, that in 1922, 0.02. For the years 1910-12
the mean rates were—Males, 0.03; Females, 0.04; and those for 1920-22—Males, 0.04; Females,
0.02. Last year the rates were—Males, nil; Females, 0.01.
Other Septic Diseases.—This group heading has a new meaning in consequence of the adoption
of the new International Schedule of Causes of Death. Formerly, infective endocarditis was included,
but that disease now falls under Diseases of the Heart. The figures for 1918-22 about to be quoted,
have been adjusted to agree with the new tabulation.
There were 10 deaths classed to this heading last year, all due to septicaemia, 2 of males and 8
of females. That total shows a notable increase above the annual average for 1918-22, viz., 4.
Further comparison on this occasion appears to be undesirable.
"MENINGITIS" GROUP.
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (Fever).—One case (f.,œt. 10) was notified last year, as compared
with 2 in 1922. The annual average for 1913-17 was 6, and that for 1918-22, 3. The patient was
treated in a nursing home and made a good recovery.
Encephalitis Lethargica.—Three cases were notified, one in February and 2 in March. One
patient was a lad aged 14 whose case was subsequently marked as error. The other two were females
aged 40 (ended fatally) and 33. The latter case was apparently contracted in Bristol.
Two residents of the Borough had attacks of the disease in the country, one (male aged 51)
died of the disease in Bournemouth and the other (female, aged 44) had an attack which was not
diagnosed until after her recovery and return to Town.
This disease has been on the list for notification since 1919, the cases reported prior to 1923
having been—1919, 3; 1920, 2; 1921, 7; and 1922, 2.
Acute Poliomyelitis.—Two cases were notified, one in a male and one in a female, both aged
2 years. The patients received hospital treatment, recovering, with slight muscular weakness in
the one case and some paralysis in the other. The annual average number of cases of this disease
in each of the quinquennia, 1913-17 and 1918-22, was 2.
THE PNEUMONIAS.
Acute Influenzal.—This disease has been notifiable since 1919, the cases reported in each year
since then having been: 1919, 87; 1920, 45; 1921, 27; 1922, 72; and 1923, 33. Last year's cases
comprised 17 in males and 16 in females, with an equal sex-incidence the figures would be : Males, 17;
females, 23. There were 11 (males, 5; females, 6) cases in the first quarter of the year, 12 (males, 5;
females, 7) in the second, 4 (males, 3; female, 1) in the third, and 6 (males, 4; females, 2) in the fourth.
No case was reported from Hyde Park Ward, 10 from Church, 7 each from Maida Vale and Westbourne,
4 from Harrow Road, 3 from Queen's Park, and 1 from each of the two Lancaster Gate.
Four cases (males, 3; female, 1) were reported at ages under 5 years; 2 (one of each sex) at ages
5-15, 2 (one of each sex) at ages 15-25, 6 (males, 2; females, 4) at ages 25-35, 9 (males, 5; females, 4) at
35-45, 4 (male, 1; females, 3) at 45-55, 4 (2 of each sex) at 55-65, and 2 (both males) at ages over 65.
Of the 33 patients, 15 received treatment in hospital, 14 going to the Paddington Hospital.
Two patients were visited in their homes by the District Nurses.
Of the 33 cases, 5 ended fatally, all being certified as due to influenza with pneumonic complications.
Deaths from Epidemic Influenza.—There were in all 32 deaths from influenza, 17 being certified
as complicated with pneumonia, 8 as having other pulmonary complications, and 7 without stated
complications. Of the 25 cases in which the lungs were involved, only 5 were notified during life.