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51
ANTERIOR POLIO-MYELITIS.
63. This disease, commonly known as infantile paralysis,
was made compulsorily notifiable by an Order of the London
County Council under S. 55, Public Health (London) Act.
The Order came into force in September, 1911.
3 cases were notified in 1911, and 3 in 1912. There were no
deaths.
The disease is believed to be due to the presence of a germ,
and to be conveyed from one person to another by the nasal
secretion. Treatment is important to prevent the contraction
and wasting of the limbs which frequently ensues.
PUERPERAL FEVER.
64. There were 2 cases of puerperal fever notified, compared
with 6,6,9,7, and 16, in the five preceding years. There
was 1 death. The case-rate per 1,000 births was 0.73, and
the death-rate 0.36 per 1,000 population, and these rates
were 0.02 and 0.01 respectively. The London case-rate and
death-rate per 1,000 births in 1911 were 2.70 and 1.27
respectively. No lower rates have been recorded in Woolwich,
but in 1903 the rates were the same.
In the ten years 1891-1900, the case-rate was 0.07, and
the death-rate 0.03. In 1901-5 the case-rate was 0.06, and
the death-rate 0.03, and in 1906-10 the case-rate was 0.05,
and the death-rate 0.016. Thus in the past five years the
death-rate has fallen to nearly one-half what it was in the
previous quinquennium, and the case-rate has been reduced.
The Midwives Act was passed in 1902, and the Home for
Mothers and Babies was established in Woolwich in 1905.