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Council to do what was necessary. There is no power to insist on disinfection in connection
with cases of tubercle in the Borough.
CEREBROSPINAL FEVER.
This disease, which is also known as epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis, spotted
fever, and also by other less known names, has during the last year or two been
somewhat more prevalent than usual, and has been attracting attention in Central
Europe and in the United States of America. Local outbreaks have occurred at
a number of places in this country during recent years, and in several instances
such outbreaks have been the subject of investigation on behalf of the Local Government
Board. In August a communication was received from the Board with respect
to this disease, pointing out that whiilst it was probable that it was not more prevalent
in this country than it has been from time to time during the last quarter of a century,
nevertheless it behoved sanitary authorities to be watchful for the disease in their
districts with a view to ascertaining whether any increased prevalence existed or
not. To this end a memorandum was prepared by the Medical Officer of the
Board, dealing generally with the characteristiic symptoms of the disease, and
especially with, minor and anomalous manifestations. The Board's communication
came under the notice of the Health Committee of the Borough, who gave instructions
for copies of the memorandum to be distributed amongst the medical practitioners
resident in Shoreditch.
The mortality returns showed that during the year a few deaths were certified
as being the result of cerebro-spinal meningitis, but there was nothing to indicate
any prevalence of the disease in the Borough. Moreover, from enquiries made of
medical practitioners, nothing unusual in this respect appears to have been noticed.
CHOLERA.
There were one or two small outbreaks of cholera in Germany which attracted
attention in this country. In v!iew of the possibility of cases occurring in the Metropolis,
arrangements were made by the Metropolitan Asylums Board for the reception
and treatment of cholera cases, should any occur. Dining the year some 23 intimations
were received from the Medical Officer of the Port of London relating to 46
foreigners landed from vessels arriving from Bremen, Hamburg, Libau, and Rotterdam,
who were ostensibly proceeding to addresses in Shoreditch. At first, on enquiry
at the addresses given, it was found in several instances that no such persons as
those mentioned on the intimations from the Port Medical Officer, had arrived or
were expected to arrive. Evidently false information as to their destination was
being given. The matter was taken in hand by the Public Health Department of
the London County Council, which secured correct addresses being given. Enquiries
made in Shoreditch, however, shewed that in many instances the immigrants
were only remaining at the addresses given for a short rime. In some cases only
amounting to a few hours. None of the persons visited whilst they were in Shoreditch
manifested any signs or symptoms suggestive of cholera.