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During 1898 some 8,032 cases were certified in the metropolis. The attack-rate
was 0.67 and the death-rate 0'12 per 1,000 estimated population. The great majority
of the cases certified in Shoreditch appeared to have been contracted within the
parish.
As illustrating the danger of enteric fever spreading amongst the members of a
family when there is a lack of proper precautions the following series of cases is of
interest:—
Case 1. B.P., male, aged 19, living at No. 64, B—Street, had been poorly for a few
days prior to August 1st. On that date he spent the day in the country
with Mr. and Mrs. S. and their family, who resided at No. 186, B—Street,
and they all had meals together. On August 16th, B.P. died and his
illness was certified to have been enteric fever.
Case 2. Mrs. S., aged 44, was taken ill about August 10th and was thought to be
suffering from influenza. She was ill for six weeks, being confined to bed
and at times delirious. Her recollection is very indistinct as to the period
of her illness. Although not certified as such there is very little doubt
that this was a case of enteric fever.
Case 3. Mr. S., aged 40, husband of above, occupied the same bed at night for a
considerable period of her illness. He was taken ill about September 1st
and was confined to his bed for three weeks. This case also was not
certified as one of enteric fever.
Case 4. E. S., aged 19, daughter, who nursed her parents during their illness, was
taken ill about September 12th, certified as suffering from enteric fever on
October 1st and died on October 2nd.
Case 5. G. S., aged 20, son, was taken ill about the tame date as E. S., was certified
as suffering from enteric fever on October 4th and died on October 18th.
Case 6. W. S., aged 14, who had been in the habit of sitting with his brother G. S.
during his illness, was taken ill about October 4th. He was certified as
suffering from enteric fever on the 21st and removed to hospital. He died
on November 9th.
The house No. 136 B-Street, was in fair sanitary condition, and nothing of
importance was discovered which could be directly connected with the causation of
these cases.
The histories of the cases point to the probability of case No. 1 infecting case
No. 2, and case No, 2 passing the disease on to case No. 3. Cases 2 and 3 not being
recognised as of an infectious character, the chances of other members of the household
being infected were materially increased. Cases Nos. 4 and 5 appear to have
received infections about the same date, and case No. 6 was most probably infected
through case 5.
So far as could be ascertained none of the cases of enteric fever in Shoreditch
during 1898, were attributable to milk infection, nor could any cases be traced to the
consumption of infected oysters or ice cream.