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8
From the above figures it will be seen that since the outbreak the weekly average
of scarlet fever cases has been markedly higher than it was prior to the outbreak,
although there exists now no reason to suspect any particular milk supply. The
numbers during the last three weeks given above, however, shew a decrease and are
perhaps, considering all things, hardly to be regarded as excessive. The explanation
of the increased numbers since the outbreak as compared with those of the earlier
portion of the year is that local centres of infection were left behind it, which under
the circumstances were only what were to be expected. Instances came under
observation in which the nature of the disease had been overlooked or mistaken, and it
was not until the patients were discovered to be peeling several weeks after the date
of the commencement of their illness that the true nature of the malady was detected.
The probability of such cases spreading infection is very great.
It may be mentioned here that during the period April 22nd to May 18th the
number of cases certified as diphtheria under went a marked increase. From enquiries
made it was found that of some 35 cases certified, in 18 X's milk was implicated. Of
these 18 cases seven were subsequently certified to be cases of scarlet fever and are
included in the list of scarlet fever cases. Altogether I am inclined to believe that
twelve at least of these cases were really cases of scarlet fever, and it is not impossible
that some of the others may have been scarlatinal in their nature. On the whole I do
not think that there was any real increase in the amount of diphtheria prevalent
during the period above given.