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under one year of age. There is room for doubt as to the
causes of this disease. It is admitted that its prevalence is
connected with a high temperature, and that it is often attributable
to errors in diet; but there are circumstances which
justify the belief that other influences are in operation which
at present are unknown. So great has been the fatality of
this disease duriDg the past quarter that a general enquiry
into the subject is about to be instituted by the Local Government
Board.
Scarlet Fever.—Although only six deaths were recorded
in the parish, that scarlet fever prevailed extensively was
evident from the fact that much of the time of the Inspectors
was occupied in disinfecting apartments and premises in which
the disease had occurred.
The following extracts from my fortnightly reports to the
Sanitary Committee show the character and extent of the
epidemic, together with the measures adopted for its abatement:—
"October 7th, 1880.—I beg to call the attention of the Committee
to the fact that numerous cases of scarlet fever have occurred in the
parish in the course of the past two months. The disease has been of a
mild type, and has therefore not affected the death returns. From my
fortnightly reports I learn that since July 15th 56 cases of scarlet fever
have received the attention of the Inspectors. I have reason to believe
that these 56 cases do not include all that have occurred, and that in
many instances the medical attendant has superintended the disinfection,
and the services of the Inspectors have not been required. The most
important point is that in nearly all the cases reported to me the milk
is said to have been supplied by one firm of dairymen. The firm in
question assures me that there has been no case of scarlet fever amongst
any of the men, women, or boys employed by it. I am making a
personal examination of every one of the servants and of their homes.
I have examined the premises of the dairymen, but have found no clue
to the outbreak. I have addressed a circular letter to every medical
man in the parish asking particulars of every case of scarlet fever that
has come under his notice within the last two months.