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The after effects of this disease are most serious. Years after the initial
illness these patients frequently develop partial paralysis, in which condition
they can only receive satisfactory treatment and care in special institutions.
Acute Poliomyelitis.
No case was notified during the year. This' disease, which most commonly
attacks children, is characterized by acute feverish onset, with pain
in one or more limbs, and is followed by more or less extensive paralysis.
The disease is frequently not diagnosed during the initial stages, and
the number of actual cases is no doubt considerably in excess of the
notifications.
The after treatment of the paralysis, which should extend over several
years, is most important. If neglected, children easily become badly
crippled, who under skilled orthopaedic treatment might enjoy normally
active lives. The number of children under five years of age known to the
health visitors to be suffering from paralysis following this disease is two.
Every effort is made to secure that these children attend hospital and that
the parents carry out the advice given.
I have to thank Dr. Lewis, the Divisional School Medical Officer, for
the information that 22 Shoreditch children who are similarly afflicted attend
the Hoxton House Physically Defective School. These children are all
medically inspected at the school and are referred to hospital when necessary.
The Invalid Children's Aid Association render valuable assistance in
the case of children to whom apparatus for the correction of deformity has
been supplied at hospital. A note of the particulars of each case is sent by
the hospital to the Association, whose visitors advise and assist the parents
in all matters relating to the use, repair and inspection of the apparatus
supplied.
Acute Primary Pneumonia.
Acute Influenzal Pneumonia.
The number of cases notified during the year was as follows : —
Acute primary pneumonia 55
Influenzal pneumonia 10
Of the 65 cases thus brought to the notice of the Department, it was
found that 26 were receiving treatment in various institutions, as follows : —
24 in St. Leonard's Hospital, 1 in Archway Hospital, and 1 in Queen's
Hospital. Of the cases treated at home, 1 was visited by the Nurses in the
Shoreditch and Bethnal Green District Nursing Association, acting under
the direction of the doctor in charge of the case.
The sanitary condition of the homes visited as a result of these notifications
was found as regards air space, light and ventilation, to be as follows
:—Satisfactory 27, fairly satisfactory 18, unsatisfactory 6.