View report page

9
I think I may fairly claim that this table supports the view that
this epidemic was not a milk one.
The outbreak in the western division was mainly confined, as I
have shown, to a small part of the Chase Ward, and altogether to
houses of the artisan type; while the milk purveyors in question
serve a much larger area and include in their round many well-to-do
customers, who escaped entirely.
I would also direct attention to the fact that 48 families used
only condensed milk (of various brands).
SANITARY CONDITIONS OF AFFECTED HOUSES.
A careful inspection of the sanitary condition of the premises
affected was at once instituted and is now nearly completed.
While many defects were discovered which undoubtedly might
have had a predisposing influence on the spread of the disease it soon
became apparent that some cause in addition to sanitary defects and
school infection must be looked for as the cause of the epidemic;
and in this connection I would suggest:—
Time of year, and
Meteorological conditions.
(1). Tine of Year.
Diphtheria epidemics mostly commence about August and September,
gain their height in October and November, and then gradually
die down.
(2). Meteorological Conditions.
The meteorological conditions of this past summer have been
rather abnormal, the characteristics were little sunshine aud frequent
rain.
In July and August there was continual rain with a high temperature,
but not sufficient sun to dry and purify the soil, and then
to make matters worse we had early in September a heavy downpour.
This being followed by a prolonged spell of warm, humid weather both
by day and night, presented conditions most favourable for the growth,
of any latent germ life.
As I have already mentioned incidentally, many cases of nonspecific
sore throat occurred amongst children in the earlier part of