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58
acute poliomyelitis and polioencephalitis.
Six cases of poliomyelitis were notified during the year. It was subsequently found that
two of the cases had been incorrectly diagnosed, and were not suffering from this disease.
One patient died.
These affections are important, owing to the fact that long-continued treatment is
necessary in order to limit, as far as possible, permanent crippling and physical deformity.
During the year 1924 the Ministry of Health had under consideration the lack of facilities for
dealing adequately with the after-effects of these and other "crippling" diseases, and desired
information as to the prevalence of these conditions.
From the information obtained, it appeared to be necessary to make more adequate
arrangements for the residential treatment of such cases, and the London County Council has
now arranged for suitable cases to be admitted to Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton.
The following copy of a letter, which was sent to all medical practitioners in the Borough,
gives particulars concerning this additional accommodation:—
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Pancras Road, N.W. 1.
Poliomyelitis.
Dear Sir or Madam,
The London County Council has recently considered the question of dealing effectively
in residential institutions with the later and more chronic stages of this disease, with a view
to limiting, as far as possible, permanent crippling and physical deformity. Arrangements have
now been made for the treatment of cases either entering upon the second stage of the disease
(deemed for this purpose to commence 3 months after onset) or being discharged from a general
hospital after undergoing correctional operation. Recommendations for the treatment of these
cases must be made on special forms which may be obtained on application. Assessments will
be made for each case on the same principles as obtain in respect of tuberculous children.
The work of assessment and the collection of the contributions will be undertaken by the
Invalid Children's Aid Association. The in-patient treatment is being provided at Queen
Mary's Hospital, Carslialton.
Yours faithfully,
G. Sowden,
Medical Officer of Health.
encephalitis lethargica.
This is commonly termed "Sleepy Sickness;" it should be noted, however, that it is a
totally different disease to the tropical malady known as "Sleeping Sickness." The popular
term is an unfortunate one, as it tends to confuse the two diseases. Twenty-four cases were
notified during the year. Owing to an error in the date, one fatal case should have been
included in the notifications for the previous year; the death was included. On further
investigation eight cases were found to have been incorrectly diagnosed. Three other cases
were discovered which had not been notified. The actual number of cases was therefore 18.
Ten deaths were registered during the year as being due to this disease. Five of
these relate to cases either not notified or notified in previous years. One was a visitor from
abroad who died in hospital. The death cannot be transferred, although he was not a resident
and the case had hot been notified here.