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18
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
The following are brief particulars respecting the cases of the above disease,
sometimes termed sleepy sickness, which were certified during the year under
consideration:—
(1) A woman, aged 55, of 57, C-Street, was taken ill with headache and pain
in her back on December 15th, 924. She was admitted to St. Leonard's Hospital
on December 30th, and her case was certified on January 5th, 1925. She was feverish
and lethargic, and there was-drooping of the upper eyelids. The sphincters were
paralysed and the knee jerks were sluggish. Her mental condition was fair. During
the last few days of her illness her speech was affected. The case terminated fatally
on January 4th. There was no history of any recent illness. The number of persons
in the family to which the patient belonged was six, and there were altogether ten
persons in the house, the sanitary condition of which was satisfactory.
(2) A young woman, aged 22, a boxmaker, of 33, T Street, was last at work on
June 5th. Her illness, however, was stated to have begun some time about the
middle of 1924. The case was certified on August 10th, 1925. The initial symptoms
were mild coryzal attacks. On May 17th, 1925, she had an attack of what was
believed to be influenza, and on June 6th she had to take to her bed with another
attack, which was more severe. On getting about again vague nerve symptoms
began to develop—twitchings and tingling pains in the limbs, with drowsiness. On
June 13th she went to a convalescent home at Guildford, and on her return at the
end of the month became an out-patient at the West End Hospital for Nervous
Diseases. On July 12th she was stated to be convalescent. The case was treated
at home. "There was a history of influenza in the house. The number of persons in
the family was 5, and there were altogether 11 persons in the house, which was
unsatisfactory from a sanitary point of view. There was no overcrowding, but the
patient's bedroom was dirty and verminous. The outstanding feature in this case
at the end of the year was mental depression with frequent attacks of weeping.
She was said to sleep well at night.
(3) A young woman, aged 18, of 47, T-Street, employed as a packer, was
last at work on August 11th. Her case was certified on the 19th. During the early
part of August the patient was depressed and languid. Drowsiness was noticed on
11th. She complained of pain in her head and down one side. Later, muscular
twitchings were noted. On August 26th she was up and about, but was dull and
lethargic, disinclined to go out of doors, taking no interest in her personal appearance
or surroundings, and sitting for hours rubbing her hands. The case was treated
at home. There were 10 persons in the family, and altogether 14 in the house,
which was in a fair sanitary condition. At the end of the year this patient was said
to be improving; she was still depressed, and not nearly so lively as before her illness,
but her temper was improving, and she was more sociable and taking a greater interest
in her surroundings.