View report page

84
I circularized the Practitioners drawing attention to the position
as follows:—
Public Health Department,
Council House,
Hounslow.
20th May, 1924.
Dear Sir,
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
In view of the fact that six cases of Encephalitis
Lethargica have been notified in the district within the
last week, and two cases just outside, it is important that
watch should be kept for cases, which are all of a mild
type, the first three cases only having been recognised
some weeks after the original onset.
The history of the cases is set out below—it will be
seen that the cases vary somewhat in type.
(Then followed the history of six cases.)
Since the above, five further cases have been notified.
An Inspector of the Ministry of Health will be visiting
the district to-morrow, Wednesday, 21st May.
If you have any doubtful case you would care for him
to see—please telephone to me by 10 a.m. to-morrow,
giving particulars.
Yours faithfuly,
ELWIN H. T. NASH.
Medical Officer of Health.
Later in 1925, fresh cases were notified by the tame
Practitioner, most of them being of a slightly different character
and the diagnosis more difficult.
I stressed to the Ministry the importance of expert opinion to
confirm as far as it was possible the diagnosis and to be in a definite
position to say that the condition was Encephalitis Lethargica and