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106
CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER.
A letter was received, dated 24th August, 1905, from the Secretary
of the Local Government Board, stating that he was directed
"by the Local Government Board to state that they have reason
to believe that the fact that Cerebro-Spinal Fever has recently
been somewhat extensively prevalent in Central Europe and in
America has given rise in some quarters to a doubt whether the
disease in question may not have newly extended to or have been
developing in this country.
"The Board think it desirable, therefore, to state that, as far
as they have been able to ascertain, there is no ground for such
apprehension. It appears, in fact, to be probable that Cerebrospinal
Fever is at the present time not more prevalent in this.
country than it has been from time to time during the last
quarter of a century.
"Nevertheless, the Board consider that Sanitary Authorities
should be on the alert to detect the presence of the disease in
their districts, or to satisfy themselves as to its absence; and
to this end the Board have issued a memorandum, which has
been prepared by their Medical Officer, dealing generally with
the characteristic symptoms of the disease, and especially with
its minor and anomalous manifestations. Copies of this
memorandum are enclosed, and I am to request that one of the
copies, together with a copy of this circular, may be given to
the Medical Officer of Health for his information.
"In the event of the discovery in any district of groups of
cases of illness which might possibly be of the nature of Cerebrospinal
Fever, it would, of course, be important that the facts