View report page

Of the 11 cases provisionally suggested as E.L., after consultation, 4 were
regarded as probable E.L.; of these two were notified and the other two on postmortem
examination proved to be due to cerebral tumour and acute ex-ophthalmic
goitre respectively. The obscure symptoms in the latter case, suggestive of
encephalitis, viz., restlessness, raised temperature, drowsiness, muscular weakness,
defective speech, and difficulty in swallowing were in reality referable to a state of
hyperthyroidism, although during life there was no obvious enlargement of the
thyroid gland evident. Microscopical examination showed characteristic change
in the gland, but in the brain none typical of encephalitis.
4 were regarded as doubtful E.L.; of these 3 recovered, the condition not being
confirmed as E.L., one died, and on post-mortem examination cerebral hæmorrhage
was found.
3 were not regarded as suffering from E.L.; two were recovering from the
effects of influenza, and one was identified by lumbar puncture as a case of influenzal
meningitis, subsequently confirmed as such in hospital, where death occurred 4 weeks
later.
Of the remaining 7 cases, in two which were suspected cerebro-spinal meningitis,
the diagnosis seemed probable in one and was supported by cerebro-spinal fluid
examination, but proved on post-mortem examination to be an unusual case of
acute septicaemia with acute endocarditis, pericarditis and commencing cerebral
abscess ; in the other case the cerebro-spinal fluid examination was not in favour of
cerebro-spinal fever but pointed to septicaemia and probable septic meningitis, but
no post-mortem was obtainable.
Of three other cases provisionally regarded as meningitis, one was diagnosed on
lumbar puncture as post-basic meningitis, a second proved to be measles, and the
third was diagnosed on clinical grounds and notified as cerebro-spinal meningitis.
Of two cases, the nature of which was entirely doubtful, one was regarded as
influenza, and the other as typhoid fever, subsequently confirmed and notified.
B.—Administration.
Statistical information available is comprised in Table II., on p. 64, and
details of the Administration of the General Powers Acts (tuberculous milk) and
observations on the supervision of slaughterhouses, cowhouses, and offensive
trades, will be published later in Chapter XXV. of the Annual Report of the Council,
Vol. III.
Common and
seamen's
lodging
houses.
The supervision of the 174 common lodging-houses licensed by the Council
under the L.C.C. (General Powers) Act, 1902, entailed 10,263 day visits and 478
night visits by the inspectors. The supervision of 38 seamen's lodging houses
11908 D 2