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201
[1911
OCCUPATIONS OF PERSONS ATTACKED WITH INFECTIOUS
DISEASES.
The Tables attached to this part of the report are always worthy of
study, for they show the occupations of the patients who were suffering from
the several infectious diseases specified in them. Thus, with respect to
Scarlet Fever, it was found that 2 bookfolders, 7 clerks, 2 coachbuilders,
3 cashicrs, 5 drapers' assistants, 2 cloak room attendants, 4 dressmakers,
2 rurses, 2 bakers, and 3 servants were attacked with the disease, in addition
to whom there was a baker, a carpenter, an errand boy, a hawker, and a
messenger. This shows the many channels through which Scarlet Fever may
be conveyed, for it is quite possible that any one of these persons, while
in an infectious state, might convey its germs to the goods which they
were handling. From this it will be seen how important a matter it is
that early notification should be given of these infectious diseases, so as
to prevent the persons suffering from them carrying on their work, and also
to afford an opportunity to the Sanitary Authority to get the articles they
have made disinfected before they are sold. Of course it unfortunately
happens frequently that a doctor does not see the patients at the earliest
possible moment, and, therefore, they sometimes continue at their work at
a time when they should be isolated.
From Table CXXVI, which shows the trades and businesses carried on
in houses where infectious diseases have occurred, it will be seen how easily
many of the goods manufactured or sold by these tradespeople can be infected
by the disease which has occurred in the premises. It has consequently
always been the endeavour of the Public Health Department to visit these
business places at the earliest possible moment, so that the business may be
stopped if necessary, the premises disinfected, and, where required, the
goods also.