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30
In previous reports I have remarked on the occurrence of cases of enteric fever
in Shoreditch, in which there were strong reasons for believing that infection from
patient to patient directly or indirectly was the chief factor in connection with their
causation. The following series of cases which came under observation during the year
may be recorded as further illustrations of the part played by personal infection in the
spread of enteric fever:—
(1.) M. B., female, aged 5, residing at No.8U—Buildings, became ill about
October 10th. She was ill for six or seven weeks, and was considered to
be suffering from consumption of the bowels. She gradually recovered
and was practically well by December 3rd.
(2.) W. B., aged 13, brother to the above patient was taken ill about
November 13th, and
(3.) B. B., aged 15, a sister was taken ill about November 20th. On
December 3rd the above cases were regarded by the medical attendant
as being enteric fever and were certified accordingly.
(4.) W. B., aged 38, father of the above patients, a carman by occupation,
was taken ill about November 17th, and was certified to have enteric
fever on December 15th.
The cases were all removed to hospital, but No. 1 was not retained as she had
recovered. Beyond a few slight defects in the drainage arrangements, the house in
which the above cases occurred was in good condition sanitarily.
The subjoined series of cases occurred at No.58C— Street, a house at which
there is a small general shop. The premises were in a very fair sanitary condition,
and nothing amiss was detected in connection with the drainage arrangements:—
(1.) E. P. aged fifteen, first showed signs of not being in her usual health
about the second week in September. During the third week she was
at Margate for five days for the benefit of her health, but her condition
was worse on her return. She took to her bed on October 1st, and
died on October 16th, her death being attributed to tuberculous ulceration
of the intestines. She is stated to have been delerious during her
illness and to have suffered from diarrhoea and sickness. She was nursed
at home by her mother, and the father stated that she was kissed when
dying by members of the family.
(2.) R. P. aged seven, sister of E.P., was ailing from about October 17th,
and was certified to have enteric fever on October 23rd.
(3.) C. P. aged eleven, a brother, after ailing for a few days, was certified
to have enteric fever on October 25th.
(4.) E. P. aged thirty-five, the mother of the family, was ailing from about
October 16th, and certified to have enteric fever on October 28th.