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The reports of the medical officers of health contain the following references to cases of enteric
fever in their districts, and to the cause of the disease where it was possible to ascertain it—
Paddington.—"Of the 45 cases recorded during the year, three appeared to have been due to
the patients nursing other cases and two to eating oysters (origin unknown). In two cases there were
histories of consumption of ice-cream and mussels, but the information was too unreliable to be
accepted without reservation."
Fulham.—Of 53 cases, "there were no cases attributable to the Maidstone epidemic, but in six
cases the disease was contracted outside London, and in three cases in other sanitary districts of the
metropolis. In three cases the disease was thought to have been due to the consumption of shellfish."
Chelsea.—Of 53 cases, "there were no cases attributable to the Maidstone epidemic, but in one
case the infection was probably acquired while the patient was in residence at King's Lynn. In three
other cases the infection was probably acquired outside the parish, whilst in three cases the patients
were inmates of nursing homes in the parish, and were infected outside the parish."
St. George, Hanover-square.—Three persons contracted their disease at Maidstone. Of the cases
occurring in the last five months of the year, nine persons contracted their disease outside the parish.
Marylebone.—"A few of the cases were imported from Maidstone and elsewhere. In one case
the circumstances, aided by bacteriological examination, pointed strongly to specifically contaminated
oysters."
Hampstead.—Two persons contracted their disease at Maidstone.
St. Pancras.—An outbreak occurred in University College Hospital. Investigation as to the
cause led to the conclusion that it was due to contamination of the water in a cistern from a tank in
which soiled linen was steeped.
1 See footnote (1), page 7.