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18
PUERPERAL PYREXIA.
This condition is defined as:—
"Any febrile condition (other than a condition which is required to be notified as
puerperal fever) occurring in a woman within 21 days after childbirth or miscarriage
in which a temperature of 1004 degrees Fahrenheit, or more, has been sustained during
a period of 24 hours or has recurred during that period."
The febrile condition referred to in the above definition may be due to any cause, and it
may be to some cause quite independent of the puerperal condition. It may, however, be
the precursor of the more serious condition known as puerperal fever, and it is with this in
view that the numerous conditions comprised under the term puerperal pyrexia are made
notifiable.
During the year the Council retained the services of Mr. Aleck W. Bourne, F.R.C.S,
(England), Obstetric Surgeon to Out-patients, St. Mary's Hospital, to act in a consultative
capacity, for cases of puerperal pyrexia, but no request for his assistance was made to the
Council during the year.
During the year 32 cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified, 26 of which occurred within
or were removed to institutions.
Two cases of puerperal pyrexia were nursed by the District Nurses at home, 36 visits
being paid.
ERYSIPELAS.
Ninety cases were notified, 45 of which occurred within or were removed to hospitals.
ACUTE POLIO-MYELITIS.
Three cases of this disease, otherwise known as Infantile Paralysis, were notified. Owing
to the serious after-effects, such as deformities, which result from this disease much care is
taken to keep in touch with all cases previously notified. Recent experience tends to show
that most of the cases notified by doctors receive all the necessary remedial treatment. It is
evident that the possibility of preventing the onset of serious deformities is now realised by
parents and doctors more than formerly.
ACUTE POLIO-ENCEPHALITIS.
Only one case of this disease, somewhat similar in its nature to the last mentioned, was
notified.
ACUTE ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
Only one case of this disease was notified; this disease, commonly known as" sleepy sickness,"
is found to be frequently the forerunner of progressive mental and physical deterioration,
occasionally signalised by disorders of conduct. For this reason careful enquiry is made as
to the after-history of all cases of this disease which are brought to notice.
During the year a case of encephalitis lethargica was brought to the notice of the Medical
Officer of Health, which manifested certain serious and progressive symptoms. The patient
was found to have been under treatment as an in-patient in a London Hospital, and on
enquiry being made as to why he had not been notified to the Medical Officer of Health, it
was stated that whilst the patient was suffering from the conditions known as" postencephalitic
parkinsonism" it was not considered that he was suffering from acute encephalitis
lethargica.
This incident revealed a defect in the Regulations applicable to the disease and in
consequence the Council addressed a communication to the Ministry of Health expressing the
opinion that the Regulations should be amended so as to enforce the notification of encephalitis
lethargica in all its stages.
CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER.
Four cases of this disease were notified in 1928.
MALARIA.
Three cases were notified, one being a patient suffering from general paralysis of the insane,
into whom malaria was artificially inoculated as a therapeutic measure.