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7
Poliomyelitis. Two cases of poliomyelitis (infantile
paralysis) were admitted. Both were adults and both showed
extensive paralysis on admission. The lower limbs in both cases
were completely paralysed and there was a severe paralysis of the
upper limbs also. In one case, however, there was a remarkable
degree of recovery and the patient was able to walk on leaving
hospital, the only noticeable loss of power being in the wrists.
The other case showed very little improvement after a stay in
hospital.
Both patients were transferred to the National Orthopaedic
Hospital when they were considered free from infection.
Arrangements were made when the patients were admitted to
obtain on loan a respirator ("iron lung") but the use of this
instrument was not required. Through the generosity of Lord
Nuffield the Hospital now possesses its own artificial respirator.
Ceicken Pox.—Two unusual cases of this disease were
admitted.
(1) Chicken Pox and Encephalitis—A boy of 14 years developed
symptoms of encephalitis about 10 days after the onset of chicken
pox. He was admitted to the Hospital and showed signs and
symptoms of cerebellar disease all of which cleared up and he left
the hospital in apparently perfect health after four weeks' stay.
(2) Haemorrhagic Chicken Pox. This was in a child aged 7
years. It was known that this child was suffering from splenomedullary
leuchaemia previous to her admission. She suffered
from a very severe attack of chicken pox and was semi-conscious
when she was brought to the hospital. The Chicken Pox was of the
severe haemorrhagic type with haemetemesis and she died within
24 hours of admission.
Enteric Fever.- Five cases were sent into hospital with the
diagnosis of enteric fever. Three cases were found not to be
enteiic fever; one cleared up quickly in hospital; one proved to
be pneumonia and the third was sent to the West Middlesex Hospital
for further investigation of his abdominal symptoms. The two
proved cases were brothers and had each a mild attack of paratyphoid
fever. Both cases made a complete recovery.