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31
When expressed graphically it can be seen that there is
throughout the year, a curve on which is super-imposed some
peaks. This curve is on a consistently higher level than that
showing the incidence for England and Wales (about double
the incidence) and like it, rises to its maximum in the Autumn
months.
These peaks are divided out into:—
1. Rising from June 18th to a maximum on July 9th and
falling to normal by July 30th. This represents the
outbreak occurring at Ford's School.
2. The peak in the weeks ending September 10th and
17th is due to a family of 5 all contracting the disease.
In this instance the primary case was spreading infection
for some days before a Doctor was called in.
3. The increased incidence in the weeks ending October
8th to the 29th appears as two peaks, and was due to
three carriers, who in each case, infected, not only
persons in the house, but also the-inhabitants next door.
One case on enquiry gave a history of symptoms of
Diphtheria some days before the onset of the other cases
in the house. The nose seemed normal but gave a
positive result. The second case with no history of
illness had the typical excoriation on the nares and a
positive swab result. The third case also with no
history of illness, but giving a positive swab result,
presented only a slightly overmoist nasal mucosa.
4. The last rise occurring early in December was due to a
house of 12 occupants of whom 11 succumbed to Diphtheria.
The illness started in two children, who were
diagnosed by their mother as suffering from Mumps
and were treated as such for live days. Both subsequently
died. In the week following their removal,
nine of the family were attacked.
Ford s School Outbreak.
In the second half of June and during July, an outbreak
occurred at Ford's School. This is one of the older schools of
the district and is fed very largely by the children of Dagenham
Village, approximately half the scholars coming from the L.C.C.
houses and half from other. The new housing estate is built up
to this area and therefore was partly involved in the outbreak.
It is probable that the disease was first introduced into the
school by a convalescent carrier, who had suffered from an unrecognised
attack. This child, one of a large family, lives in
0[1e of the old houses of the district.