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Poliomyelitis.
Detailed particulars on a uniform schedule concerning 387 notified cases were received during
the year from borough medical officers and were circulated in accordance with the customary practice.
The Council's experts have been called in consultation in 55 suspected cases of the disease and lumbar
punctures were performed in 43 cases. Of these 16 were confirmed bacteriologically, whilst of those
in which the meningococcus was not isolated 2 were ultimately notified as cases of cerebrospinal
meningitis, 6 proved to be tuberculous, 2 serous, 1 septic, and 1 post-basic, meningitis ; the remainder
were associated with various other conditions.
During 1917, 53 cases of poliomyelitis or polioencephalitis were notified in London, but in 3
instances the diagnosis was subsequently withdrawn. This number is the lowest recorded since the
disease was made notifiable in 1911. Detailed particulars respecting 49 cases were received from
the borough medical officers. The cases were fairly evenly distributed throughout the year; the usual
increase in the late summer was not experienced.
B.—Administkation.
Certain statistical information available is summarised in Table II. appended to this report.
Tuberculous Milk.—L.C.C. (General Potcers) Act, 1904, Pari V., and 1907, Part IV.
The Council's inspectors obtained 416 samples from churns of milk consigned from the country
to tho various London railway termini, and these were submitted to the Lister Institute for bacteriological
examination. The milk was sent to London from 27 counties. Of 409 completed examinations,
42, or 10.3 per cent., yielded tubercle bacilli, as against 8 7 per cent. in 1916, 6 5 per cent. in 1915 and
7 9 per cent. in 1914. In connection with these samples the veterinary inspector visited 41 farms
and examined 1,770 cows. It was found that 22 cows, i.e., 12 per cent., showed signs of tuberculosis
in one or more of its forms, or were otherwise unhealthy. In the case of each cow suffering from tuberculosis,
the farmer undertook to have the animal slaughtered and meanwhile not again to use the milk.
In addition, the inspector re-visited 148 farms, and inspected 5,845 cows ; all the animals examined at
these re-visits were found to be in a satisfactory condition.
During the period 27th January to 26th November, 1917, there were three inspections of the cows
kept in the 145 London cowsheds. In all, 5,649 examinations were made. No cases of tuberculosis
of the udder were detected, but in 61 cases other unhealthy conditions of the udder were found. Two
cows were found presenting symptoms of pulmonary or general tuberculosis, and these were slaughtered
or disposed of by tho owners. The number of cows examined in London cowsheds during the first
quarter of 1914 was 2,676, while at the last quarter of 1917 the number was 1,771.
Housing of the Working Classes Acts.

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