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been consumed in 5 cases and 1 case of paratyphoid was ascribed to
handling cultures in a bacteriological laboratory. One death occurred.
Examination of the blood was made in 6 suspected cases.
Influenza.—This was certified as the cause of 20 deaths (against 95
in 1922), 9 males and 11 females, 3 in persons aged between 45 and 65
and 14 over 65 years of age.
Cerebrospinal Fever.—One case occurred and was fatal.
Poliomyelitis.—One case occurred.
Encephalitis Lethargica.—Two cases occurred, both females, aged 23
and 56. Both proved fatal.
Measles.—Every second year measles assumes epidemic form. In
1921 only 26 cases were known, in 1922 591 cases were noted, in 1923
there were 131 cases with only 1 death. The cases were distributed
38 in the first quarter, 52 in the second, 13 in the third, and 28 in the
fourth. An increase in the last quarter is unusual and suggests that it
is an early beginning of the 1924 outbreak, which in the ordinary course
will be more extensive than that of 1923.
Of the 131 cases, 29 were admitted to hospital (13 in M.A.B. Hospitals,
16, mostly adults, in the London Fever Hospital).
133 visits were paid by Health Visitors, and in 2 cases District
Nurses were called in and paid 16 visits.
There were also 42 cases of Kubella (rose rash or German measles),
3 of whom were treated in hospital.
Diarrhoea and Enteritis.—Two deaths are recorded under this
heading, which includes a variety of illness in which diarrhoea is a prominent
or final symptom. Infective or summer diarrhoea which produces
an acute illness was practically absent, chiefly on account of weather
conditions.
Both of the above deaths were infants, one due to inability to digest
anything, the other to improper feeding and want of attention, the mother
refused assistance from the Health Visitors.
Whooping Cough.—Only 40 cases were recorded, but 5 deaths occurred.
Four cases were treated in hospital (3 M.A.B., 1 Infirmary).