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Anthrax.
Anthrax.—One case of anthrax, which proved fatal, was notified in London
during the year. The patient was employed at a flour and grain wharf, and had no
known contact with skins or furs.
Cerebrospinal
fever.
Cerebrospinal fever.—During the year 1930, 88 cases of cerebrospinal fever were
notified. The diagnosis was not, however, confirmed in 13 of these cases. Of the
75 actual cases 51 (68 per cent.) proved fatal. In addition 29 deaths were recorded
by the Registrar-General of cases which had either never been notified or had been
notified in 1929, making a total of 80 fatal cases for the year.
Encephalitis
lethargica.
Encephalitis Lethargica.—During the year 1930, 60 cases of encephalitis
lethargica were notified. Of these 15 were, however, not confirmed. Of the actual
45 cases 16 (36 per cent.) proved fatal. In addition 49 deaths were recorded by the
Registrar-General of cases which had either never been notified or had been notified
in previous years. There was thus a total of 65 fatal cases for the year.
Provision for the treatment of post encephalitis lethargica is made at the
Northern Hospital, Winchmore Hill, and accommodation, limited to 50 beds, is
provided for adult patients. During the year 6 patients were discharged and
there were 8 admissions. The whole of the accommodation was in occupation at
the end of the year. Owing to the large number of patients waiting admission the
Council has decided to increase the accommodation, and an additional 115 beds is
being provided.
Particulars of the children treated in the special unit at the Northern Hospital
are given in the Annual Report of the School Medical Officer.
A comprehensive survey of the experience gained in the treatment of post
encephalitis lethargica is contained in reports by Dr. G. A. Borthwick, medical
superintendent of the Northern Hospital, and Dr. F. L. Golla, director of the central
pathological laboratory of the Mental Hospitals Department. These reports appear
as a separate publication.*
Poliomyelitis
and
Polioencephalitis.
Poliomyelitis and Polioencephalitis.—During the year 1930, 29 cases of poliomyelitis
and 8 cases of polioencephalitis were notified. The diagnosis was not, however,
confirmed in 6 cases of poliomyelitis and one of polioencephalitis. Of the 30 actual
cases, 4 proved fatal. In addition 7 deaths were recorded by the Registrar-General
of cases which either had never been notified or had been notified in previous years,
making a total of 11 deaths for the year.
Special facilities are provided at the Western Hospital for acute cases and at
Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton, for the residential treatment of children suffering
from paralysis following poliomyelitis and polioencephalitis. During the year 3
children were admitted to the Western Hospital. Of these 2 were sent home and 1
was transferred to Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton. In addition 45 children
(30 boys and 15 girls) were admitted to Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton; and there
were 49 discharges (33 boys and 16 girls). The services of Mr. G. Perkins, F.R.C.S.,
and of Mr. W. H. Trethowan, F.R.C.S., are available in a consultative capacity at
the Western and Queen Mary's Hospitals respectively.

* Encephalitis Lethargica—obtainable from P. S. King & Son, Ltd., 14, Great Smith Street, Westminster, S.W.I.
(No. 2811),price 6d.