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by feverishness, nausea and bad vision; then lethargy, drooping of the eyelids,
squint in respect of the left eye, with pains in the lower part of his body, and delirium
were noted. His case was certified by a medical practitioner in the borough and
removed to the Eastern Hospital. He was in that institution for about a week and
then went down to Brighton for a holiday. On his return he resumed his occupation
and has since remained at work.
19. A school girl, aged six years, of 36, A—Buildings, was ailing from the
end of February, sleepiness being an outstanding feature. On July 26th, whilst
at a Sunday School treat, she collapsed and lost the use of her legs. She was
taken to the Queen's Hospital on July 28th and then to the National Hospital
Queen's Square, where she was admitted on August 1st. The patient was semiconscious
on admission and remained so until September 1st. She was delirious
at night and her speech was slow and hesitating. Her legs were said to have been
paralysed. This patient returned home in November. She was reported at the
end of the year to be nervous and excitable, to sleep badly, to be noisy at times, and
spiteful to other children. Her speech was slow, she eats slowly, screams without
apparent reason and wants to lie in bed. She complains sometimes of blurred vision.
Physically she seems strong and healthy.
20. A little boy, aged 2½ years, of 71, A— Street, was taken ill with catarrhal
symptoms and cough on October 20th and three days later became unconscious.
His case was certified on November 4th and the patient was removed to the Eastern
Hospital. He died there a few days later, the cause of death being certified to have
been tuberculous meningitis.
21. A man, aged 26, of 43, W—Terrace, was certified on December 29th
and removed to hospital as suffering from diphtheria and encephalitis lethargica.
This patient was, however, discharged after a few days, as, in the opinion of the
hospital authorities, he was not suffering as certified.
In connection with the cases certified it may be noted that no two cases occurred
in the same house. So far as could be ascertained there were no secondary cases.
The number of persons belonging to the families in which the eases were certified
was 119 and there were besides some 76 other persons resident in the houses invaded.
In eight instances there were histories of influenza and catarrhal affections amongst
the inmates of the houses. In one instance three cases were certified in the same
street but there was nothing to indicate any connection between them. One of these
cases proved not to be a case of encephalitis lethargica. With regard to the sanitary
condition of the houses, six were unsatisfactory, mainly on the grounds of being
dirty and overcrowded, the remainder were satisfactory or fairly so. The invaded
houses were pretty generally distributed and with two exceptions were north of
Old Street; there was nothing pointing to any grouping beyond the instance referred
to above.