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Hospital on September 9th and was subsequently under the care of a medical
practitioner in the Borough, who certified the case on September 17th. There was
no material alteration as regards this patient at the end of the year.
5. A little boy, aged 211/2 years, of 81, W— Place, who fell ill on September
30th with sleepiness, twitchings and spasmodic movements. He was taken to
St. Bartholomew's Hospital the same day and was certified three days later. It is
stated that there is no evidence of paralysis, but the patient is mentally defective and
unable to speak.
6. A little girl aged one year and four months, of 48, G-Street, was taken
ill on August 1st and was admitted to the Metropolitan Hospital on August 8th,
whence she was transferred to St. Leonard's Hospital on December 6th with a view
to admission to Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton. Both legs were paralysed. The
case was certified on December 9th and a few days later was transferred to the
hospital at Carshalton, where it was at the end of the year.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
The above disease, also known as epidemic encephalitis, may be classed as a
general infectious disease. It is characterised by manifestations pointing to lesions
in the central nervous system, especially localised paralyses, which are oftentimes
associated with lethargy and stupor. A name for the disease, sometimes popularly
used, is " Sleepy Sickness." The disease, however, is quite distinct from the malady
known as sleeping sickness which is met with in certain parts of Africa. An
interesting account of the disorder and the precautions to be taken when cases occur
is contained in a revised memorandum which was issued by the Minister of Health
at the beginning of June.
The following are brief particulars as regards the cases certified in Shoreditch
during the year under consideration :—
1. A young woman, aged 18 years, employed as a cardboard boxmaker, and
resident at 51, H-Street was taken with a mild influenzal cold about 8th March ;
she continued to work until 19th March. She was certified on 22nd March, and was
removed to the Eastern Hospital on 24th March. This patient was discharged
from hospital on 23rd April. There seems to have been some element of doubt
about this case, but most probably it was a case of encephalitis lethargica. From
enquiries made towards the end of the year the patient was back at work and said
to be well, save with a liability to headaches.
(2) A man aged 49, residing at 17, D- Street, employed as a carman, was
taken ill during the first week of March with pain in his right shoulder. Headache
was complained of on 20th March. Sleepiness was a noticeable feature on 23rd
March ; he fell asleep whilst talking. He was seen by a medical man on 24th March,