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47
daily regular distributor No. 12 on his "pudding"
round. The numbers opposite the "odd" men E.F.
and W.K., are repetitions, being given also opposite
regular distributors Nos. 4, 9, 12 and odd man
S.J.A. respectively.
From this summary it will be noted that 5 of the
distributors had each more than 20 infected customers
(i.e., notified cases) on their rounds, viz., regular
distributors Nos. 9, 12 and 19, and "odd" men S.J.A.
and E.F. In otter words. 5 of the distributors appeared
to be common to several of the infected districts, and
these 5 distributors are noted in leaded type in Table I.
As "odd" man E.F. assists regular distributor No. 9,
and "odd man" S.J.A., it is probable that foe was the
cause of the apparent increased number of infected
customers (i.e., notified cases) on their rounds, especially
so as "odd" man E.F. showed, on bacteriological
examination, the presence of the bacillus diphtheroides
in his throat, whereas regular distributor No. 9 and
"odd" man S.J.A. proved negative to examination.
Regular distributors Nos. 12 and 19 showed the bacillus
diphtheroides in their throats (No. 19, the Klebs-Lceffler
bacillus also). Fuller bacteriological details will be found
under the heading "bacteriological results connected with
the employees of dairy X" (vide pages 52-55).
1 he 3 suspected distributors, therefore, were regular
distributors Nos. 12 and 19 and "odd" man E.F.
Analysing the figures more in detail, it will be seen that
it was the "pudding" rounds that were chiefly affected.
These "pudding" rounds would offer more chances
of contact infection between the distributors and their
customers or of special localised infection of a pail, from
which such customers would be served, than would be
the case in the ordinary rounds, which are chiefly bottle
or can trade, separate bottles and cans (often sealed)
being frequently used. On theoretical grounds, this
would be so, and in actual practice there was evidence
which seemed to point to a special localisation of cases
in particular roads in connection with the special rounds
or distributing areas suspected. Taking only notified
cases about which the evidence of being supplied (either