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21
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis.
The histories of the four cases reported during the year
are:—
(1) Sex, female; age, 5½ years; notified on the 2nd March.
Previous history of fits. Doctor called in for fit with high temperature
and paralysis of both legs and partial paralysis of both
arms. She was treated in the Passmore Edward's Hospital by
massage and drugs (strychnine, etc.) No examination of the
cerebrospinal fluid was made. Patient discharged with Paralysis
of both lower limbs and wasting of muscles.
(2) Sex, female; age 5 years; notified on the 21st Sept.
Symptoms came on with sickness, drowsiness and high temperature.
Patient was removed to the Prince of Wales's Hospital the same
day. No record of a Bacteriological examination of cerebrospinal
fluid can be got. The paralysis of the lower limbs much
improved on date of discharge.
(3) Sex, female; age, 11 years: treated at home; notified
3rd October. This case came on with drowsiness, high temperature
(103 F.), pains in the limbs and paralysis of both lower
extremities (left worse) and of the left arm, stiffness at the back
of the neck. An examination of the cerebro-spinal fluid was made
at a Bacteriological Laboratory. Treatment by drugs (urotropine,
etc.) and skilled massage. At the end of the year the patient had
recovered the complete use of the right leg and of the left arm.
the left leg being only slightly paralysed and thinner than the
other, but still improving.
(4) Sex, male; age 8 years; notified on the 14th October.
Said to be quite well after a holiday; legs suddenly gave way when
out walking. He was seen by a Consulting Physician four days
afterwards and sent to the Middlesex Hospital, where he remained
to the latter end of December. No Bacteriological examination
of the cerebro-spinal fluid was made. He was dicharged with
paralysis of both legs and right arm. The Hospital Physicians