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INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN ENGLAND AND WALES DURING THE WEEK ENDED OCT. 8TH, 1927.
NKW INVKNTIONS.—REVIMWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.
869
has been obtained and a contract made for the erection of 80 houses. It is estimated that 250 houses are required, but the growth of the town, apart from its use as a health resort, depends largely on dockyard developments. Another scheme of 40 new houses is MALARIAL PSYCHOSES AND NEUROSES : in hand for Queenborough where there is also a Their Medical, Sociological, and Legal Aspects. By housing shortage. Both districts suffered from WILLIAM K. ANDERSON, M.D., F.R.F.P.S. Glasg., outbreaks of poliomyelitis. In Sheerness there were Visiting Physician, Eastern District Hospital, 13 cases and one death ; in Queenborough there were Teacher of Clinical Medicine, Glasgow Glasgow; nine cases and one death. Dr. Hills thinks it is likely London : Humphrey Milford, Oxford University. that this disease is spread by means of food, more Press. 1927. Pp. 395. 42s. University which has been contaminated especially milk, by IN this book Dr. Anderson dwells at some length carriers. There is no hospital on the island and noninfectious cases needing hospital treatment are upon the effects of malaria in the remote past, and removed by the St. John Ambulance Brigade to in a historical survey traces malaria from Egypt to Maidstone or Rochester, 18 to 20 miles away, while Greece, and then to Rome. Frequent references to infectious cases are removed to a hospital at Sitting- classical writers illustrate his main point-namely, bourne. Dr. Hills performs the duties of school that malaria has a degrading effect upon the character medical inspector for the county council in his two both of the individual and of the race. He regards of these ancient empires as being partly districts, and accommodation is provided at Sheerness the fall about by the malarial mosquito, the confor a branch county bacteriological laboratory. The brought ditions of civilisation of those times being eminently Borough of Queenborough, with a population of 3062, suitable to the rapid growth of the anopheles. In had a birth-rate of 20-6 and a death-rate of 10-4. Its occupations are mainly pottery, glue, chemical, dealing with the pathology of the disease he emphaand glass works. The breaking up of war vessels has sises its protean nature and discusses it broadly under three headings : (1) conditions affecting the bloodnow ceased and a decline in the population is probable. vessels (sporulation, &c.) ; (2) toxic conditions ; and parasympathetic interaction. (3) sympathetic INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN ENGLAND AND The divisions are well described, and the sympathetic WALES DURING THE WEEK ENDED parasympathetic interaction theory is worthy of note ; OCT. 8TH, 1927. it postulates that the prodromal stage of the rigor is Notifications.—The following cases of infectious one of vagotonia passing into sympatheticotonia. disease were notified during the week :—Small-pox, during the first part of the paroxysm (the cold phase),
Reviews and Notices of Books.
(last week, 122) ; scarlet fever, 2262 ; diphtheria, and later into vag,)tonia during the sweating phase 1158 ; enteric fever, 100 ; pneumonia, 736 ; puerperal of the paroxysm. A large number of physical confever, 35 ; puerperal pyrexia, 88 ; cerebro-spinal ditions are described under the various headings, and fever, 4 ; acute poliomyelitis, 45 ; acute polio- are usefully illustrated by case-histories and postencephalitis, 2 ; encephalitis lethargica, 20 ; con- mortem notes. In the section on malarial psychoses nearly all tinued fever, 2 ; dysentery, 7 ; ophthalmia neonatorum, 103. No case of cholera, plague, or typhus psychotic conditions are included. While in one place fever was notified during the week. they are spoken of as malarial in origin, on another Of the cases of acute poliomyelitis and acute polio- page the author states that " all malarial psychoses encephalitis taken together 11 were notified from the East are initially confusional states, and all other mental Riding of Yorkshire (9 of these from Hull), and 8 from the states are further developments at a later stage of of these from The West 149
Riding (5
Swinton).
dysentery certain features
notifications have returned to their normal level. As the result of the further investigation of three cases reported in the newspapers as mysterious disease in Warwickshire," in Warneford General Hospital, Leamington Spa, it has been established that these three patients are suffering from typhoid fever. It is anticipated that the other cases in the Southam Rural District will prove to be of the same character. The source of the infection has, as "
yet, to be ascertained. Deaths.—In the aggregate of great towns, including
London, there was no death from small-pox, 3 (1) from enteric fever, 14 (1) from measles, 8 (2) from scarlet fever, 19 (1) from whooping-cough, 34 (6) from
on the basis of confusion." Later he suggests that malaria may act by revealing a latent constitutional weakness, such as manic-depressive insanity of dementia præcox. He argues (p. 101) that since malaria is a potent tissue poison capable of damaging any and every tissue to any degree of extent, the clinical features of any case will vary according to the degree of the damage done. This will readily accepted, but hardly leads us to postulate a definite malarial psychosis or psychoses as Dr. Anderson does. The theory that the psychotic or psychoneurotic condition which may be ushered in as a result of malarial infection is dependent upon the individual make-up of the patient, in accordance. with Bleuler’s theory of the reaction type, seems more
be
diphtheria, 85 (14) from diarrhoea and enteritis under two years, and 28 (6) from influenza. The figures in parentheses are those for London itself. The number probable. of stillbirths registered during the week was 235 in the The title of this book gives
no idea of its scope, and limitation which does not really exist. Malaria is dealt with from every possible aspect, and, indeed, the book will, we think, be of more value to all who come directly in contact with the ravages of the parasite than to the alienist or neurologist in this country.
great towns, including 45 in London.
implies
New Inventions. AN INFANT’S FEEDING SPOON. THE need for a better form of spoon for the feeding of small infants has been long felt and I have, therefore, designed a spoon which seems to fulfil all requirements, in that there is no chance of spilling the
a
_______________
I ANOPHELINE ,
LABVJE. An Illustrated Key to the Identification of the Anopheline Larvœ of India, Ceylon and Malaya, West of Wallace’s Line. With Practical Notes on Their Collection. By C. STRICKLAND, M.A., B.C., Professor of Medical Entomology in the School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta ; and K. L.
CHOUDIIURY, M.B., D.P.H., Chief Assistant in Malaria Surveys of Assam and Bengal. Calcutta :, contents round the child’s mouth during feeding. Thacker, Spink and Co. 1927. Pp. 67. Rs.4.8. It is also particularly useful in cases of prematurity THIS work is a sequel to the " Short Key to tha or hare-lip. The figure explains itself. Adult Anophelines," published by the senior author The spoon is made by Messrs. Mayer and Phelps. in 1925 ; its object is to help those who are engaged E. A. BARTON,, L R.C.P. Lond., M.R.C.S. ,in antimalaria measures in the Indo-Malayan region.
869
has been obtained and a contract made for the erection of 80 houses. It is estimated that 250 houses are required, but the growth of the town, apart from its use as a health resort, depends largely on dockyard developments. Another scheme of 40 new houses is MALARIAL PSYCHOSES AND NEUROSES : in hand for Queenborough where there is also a Their Medical, Sociological, and Legal Aspects. By housing shortage. Both districts suffered from WILLIAM K. ANDERSON, M.D., F.R.F.P.S. Glasg., outbreaks of poliomyelitis. In Sheerness there were Visiting Physician, Eastern District Hospital, 13 cases and one death ; in Queenborough there were Teacher of Clinical Medicine, Glasgow Glasgow; nine cases and one death. Dr. Hills thinks it is likely London : Humphrey Milford, Oxford University. that this disease is spread by means of food, more Press. 1927. Pp. 395. 42s. University which has been contaminated especially milk, by IN this book Dr. Anderson dwells at some length carriers. There is no hospital on the island and noninfectious cases needing hospital treatment are upon the effects of malaria in the remote past, and removed by the St. John Ambulance Brigade to in a historical survey traces malaria from Egypt to Maidstone or Rochester, 18 to 20 miles away, while Greece, and then to Rome. Frequent references to infectious cases are removed to a hospital at Sitting- classical writers illustrate his main point-namely, bourne. Dr. Hills performs the duties of school that malaria has a degrading effect upon the character medical inspector for the county council in his two both of the individual and of the race. He regards of these ancient empires as being partly districts, and accommodation is provided at Sheerness the fall about by the malarial mosquito, the confor a branch county bacteriological laboratory. The brought ditions of civilisation of those times being eminently Borough of Queenborough, with a population of 3062, suitable to the rapid growth of the anopheles. In had a birth-rate of 20-6 and a death-rate of 10-4. Its occupations are mainly pottery, glue, chemical, dealing with the pathology of the disease he emphaand glass works. The breaking up of war vessels has sises its protean nature and discusses it broadly under three headings : (1) conditions affecting the bloodnow ceased and a decline in the population is probable. vessels (sporulation, &c.) ; (2) toxic conditions ; and parasympathetic interaction. (3) sympathetic INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN ENGLAND AND The divisions are well described, and the sympathetic WALES DURING THE WEEK ENDED parasympathetic interaction theory is worthy of note ; OCT. 8TH, 1927. it postulates that the prodromal stage of the rigor is Notifications.—The following cases of infectious one of vagotonia passing into sympatheticotonia. disease were notified during the week :—Small-pox, during the first part of the paroxysm (the cold phase),
Reviews and Notices of Books.
(last week, 122) ; scarlet fever, 2262 ; diphtheria, and later into vag,)tonia during the sweating phase 1158 ; enteric fever, 100 ; pneumonia, 736 ; puerperal of the paroxysm. A large number of physical confever, 35 ; puerperal pyrexia, 88 ; cerebro-spinal ditions are described under the various headings, and fever, 4 ; acute poliomyelitis, 45 ; acute polio- are usefully illustrated by case-histories and postencephalitis, 2 ; encephalitis lethargica, 20 ; con- mortem notes. In the section on malarial psychoses nearly all tinued fever, 2 ; dysentery, 7 ; ophthalmia neonatorum, 103. No case of cholera, plague, or typhus psychotic conditions are included. While in one place fever was notified during the week. they are spoken of as malarial in origin, on another Of the cases of acute poliomyelitis and acute polio- page the author states that " all malarial psychoses encephalitis taken together 11 were notified from the East are initially confusional states, and all other mental Riding of Yorkshire (9 of these from Hull), and 8 from the states are further developments at a later stage of of these from The West 149
Riding (5
Swinton).
dysentery certain features
notifications have returned to their normal level. As the result of the further investigation of three cases reported in the newspapers as mysterious disease in Warwickshire," in Warneford General Hospital, Leamington Spa, it has been established that these three patients are suffering from typhoid fever. It is anticipated that the other cases in the Southam Rural District will prove to be of the same character. The source of the infection has, as "
yet, to be ascertained. Deaths.—In the aggregate of great towns, including
London, there was no death from small-pox, 3 (1) from enteric fever, 14 (1) from measles, 8 (2) from scarlet fever, 19 (1) from whooping-cough, 34 (6) from
on the basis of confusion." Later he suggests that malaria may act by revealing a latent constitutional weakness, such as manic-depressive insanity of dementia præcox. He argues (p. 101) that since malaria is a potent tissue poison capable of damaging any and every tissue to any degree of extent, the clinical features of any case will vary according to the degree of the damage done. This will readily accepted, but hardly leads us to postulate a definite malarial psychosis or psychoses as Dr. Anderson does. The theory that the psychotic or psychoneurotic condition which may be ushered in as a result of malarial infection is dependent upon the individual make-up of the patient, in accordance. with Bleuler’s theory of the reaction type, seems more
be
diphtheria, 85 (14) from diarrhoea and enteritis under two years, and 28 (6) from influenza. The figures in parentheses are those for London itself. The number probable. of stillbirths registered during the week was 235 in the The title of this book gives
no idea of its scope, and limitation which does not really exist. Malaria is dealt with from every possible aspect, and, indeed, the book will, we think, be of more value to all who come directly in contact with the ravages of the parasite than to the alienist or neurologist in this country.
great towns, including 45 in London.
implies
New Inventions. AN INFANT’S FEEDING SPOON. THE need for a better form of spoon for the feeding of small infants has been long felt and I have, therefore, designed a spoon which seems to fulfil all requirements, in that there is no chance of spilling the
a
_______________
I ANOPHELINE ,
LABVJE. An Illustrated Key to the Identification of the Anopheline Larvœ of India, Ceylon and Malaya, West of Wallace’s Line. With Practical Notes on Their Collection. By C. STRICKLAND, M.A., B.C., Professor of Medical Entomology in the School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta ; and K. L.
CHOUDIIURY, M.B., D.P.H., Chief Assistant in Malaria Surveys of Assam and Bengal. Calcutta :, contents round the child’s mouth during feeding. Thacker, Spink and Co. 1927. Pp. 67. Rs.4.8. It is also particularly useful in cases of prematurity THIS work is a sequel to the " Short Key to tha or hare-lip. The figure explains itself. Adult Anophelines," published by the senior author The spoon is made by Messrs. Mayer and Phelps. in 1925 ; its object is to help those who are engaged E. A. BARTON,, L R.C.P. Lond., M.R.C.S. ,in antimalaria measures in the Indo-Malayan region.