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*At a time when the eyes were improving, this infant was admitted to hospital
where it died from "Streptococcal Meningitis and Marasmus." The cases per 1,000
births numbered 14.8 in Shoreditch as compared with 9.8 for London as a whole.
In addition to the cases notified, 71 cases of inflammation of the eyes in the newlyborn
were brought to our notice by the Medical Officer of Health of the London
County Council.
In all cases brought to her notice the Health Visitor does all that lies in her
power to secure that the child receives prompt and thorough treatment, and she keeps
the case under close observation until the eyes are cured.
At St. Margaret's Hospital—a special institution of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board for the treatment of this disease—mothers can be admitted with their infants,
thus securing continuity of breast-feeding.
Six of the cases notified during the year were nursed by the nurses of the Shoreditch
and Bethnal Green Nursing Association, the nurses acting under the instructions
of the Doctor in charge of the case.
CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS.
One case was certified during the year. A child aged 1 year and 7 months was
admitted to a fever hospital under a notification of diphtheria. After admission,
however, she was found to be suffering from cerebro-spinal meningitis. The case
terminated fatally.
In addition to the foregoing, a certificate of death from cerebro-spinal meningitis
was given respecting a girl aged 13 who died at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. A
post-mortem examination was made. This case was not certified before death.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
One case was notified during the year, of which the particulars are as follows
A youth, aged 16 years, a cabinet maker, was diagnosed as suffering from this
disease about two months after the initial symptoms, which were described as follows:
"Appeared to become lazy. Last Wednesday eyes had unusual appearance—seen
to flicker." The patient was admitted to the Eastern Hospital, Homerton.
This disease, which is often most insidious in its initial stages, has the most serious
sequelae. These patients, of whom there are several in the Borough, become partially
paralysed and are able to do little or nothing for themselves. Their mental stale
becomes changed, and, while they are not certifiable as insane, they are often so
depressed and emotional as to be a grave anxiety to those having care of them.
It has in the past been extremely difficult to obtain suitable treatment for these
cases, and it is most satisfactory to be able to report that since the end of the year
covered by this report arrangements have been made by the Metropolitan Asylums
Board for the admission of these cases to a special institution.