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35
Of nine cases of poliomyelitis, eight were children of school age
and one was a baby girl aged 10 months.
Six of these cases—5 girls and 1 boy- were the meningeal type
of poliomyelitis with no paralysis. All made complete and uneventful
recoveries. A girl, aged 6 was more seriously affected with some
paralysis of the muscles of the back and thighs. There was a rapid
improvement, however, and finally complete recovery.
A boy, aged 7 was very seriously affected indeed with extensive
paralysis involving the muscles of respiration. He has been treated
in an "iron lung" and his condition is still serious.
The baby aged 10 months, developed some paralysis of the back
muscles and the muscles of the left leg. She was later transferred
to an orthopaedic hospital when she improved considerably but there
is some residual weakness of the left leg. All of these cases occurred
during the months of September and October.
Apart from the two cases of polioencephalitis, the other cases
were widespread throughout the district.
Two girls had been attending the same school but there was no
close contact between them. In no case was it probable that infection
had been contracted by swimming in the river or public swimming
pools and overcrowded housing conditions did not seem to play any
part.
In time of prevalence of this disease prevention is therefore very
difficult. One can only advise that young people should avoid crowds
and excessive fatigue and that the importance of general hygiene and
the value of fresh air should be remembered at all times.
The two cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis occurred in babies
aged 7 and 9 months respectively. Both made good recoveries.
SMALLPOX.
It is so unusual to report the occurrence of a case of smallpox in
the Borough that I feel that a fairly full description is desirable.
On the 5th April, 1949, I was informed by the Port of London
Authority that eight passengers from S.S. Mooltan had returned to
their residences in Richmond after having been vaccinated on the
2nd April, and disembarked on the 3rd April