View report page

25
The following series of cases of enteric fever, coming under my observation during
the year, is worthy of note:—
Case 1. Alfred F—, aged eleven, living at No. 3, Smart's Buildings, Hoxton
Street. He first showed signs of illness about September 27th, he took to
his bed on October 7th, was certified to be suffering from enteric fever on
October 19th, and was removed to hospital, the premises being thereupon
disinfected. The family of the patient consisted of two adults and one
other child beside himself, and they occupied one room in the house.
Case 2. William B—, aged six, also living at No. 3, Smart's Buildings.
He was taken ill about October 28th, was certified to be Buffering from
enteric fever on November 5th and removed to hospital and the premises
were again disinfected. The B—,family consisted of two adults and
three children, and they occupied three rooms in the house. William
B— was a great deal in the room with Alfred F—, whilst the latter
was lying ill, before the nature of his malady was recognised.
Case 3. Gertrude W—, aged five, living at No. 4, Smart's Buildings, was
taken ill about October 30th, she was certified to be suffering from enteric
fever on November 8th, and was removed to hospital, the premises being
thereupon disinfected.
Case 4. Dorothy W—, aged four, a sister to above patient, was observed to
be ailing about November 5th. After being treated at home for several
days she was removed to the Shoreditch Infirmary and was certified to be
suffering from enteric fever on November 19th. The W—family
consisted of two adults and six children, and they occupied the whole of
the house. I was informed that Gertrude and Dorothy W—, were not
allowed to go into No. 3, Smart's Buildings, but that they played a good
deal with the children belonging to that house.
Case 5. Jane B—, aged 40, living at No. 3, Smart's Buildings, mother
of William B—; she waited upon him during his illness. She first
began to feel unwell about November 11th or 12th, was decidedly ill on
November 15th, and was certified to be suffering from enteric fever on
November 20th.
Case 6. Daisy W—, aged 19, living at No. 49, Essex Street, was certified
to be suffering from enteric fever on December 20th. This patient left
No. 4, Smart's Buildings, with her family, on December 3rd. She began to
show signs of ill-health on or about December 8th, and was decidedly ill on
December 15th. This patient assisted in waiting upon cases 3 and 4.
The sanitary condition of Smart's Buildings was very unsatisfactory, and the steps
taken in connection with them will be referred to later. As to how the first patient
became infected I was unable to obtain any evidence, but there is no doubt that he
was the source of the infection in the cases which followed, and that the conditions
under which the people were living were distinctly favourable for the transmission of
the infection of enteric fever.