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exceptional accommodation with skilled nursing were available,
owing to the danger of secondary cases arising from personal infection.
During the year 1905 a rather large number of instances
arose in the Borough, illustrating in a striking way the danger of
personal infection in the way suggested.
I give below, arranged in groups, details of the secondary cases
which have arisen from personal infection.
Group 1.—Sidney and Cyril S., aged respectively 7 and 5 years,
of 42a, B. Road, fell ill on or about the 27th December, 1904, and
were treated at home. On January 7th, 1905, they were notified as
suffering from enteric fever. Sidney was removed to hospital on
January 11th, but Cyril was kept at home and nursed by his mother.
About the 20th January, Reginald, aged 2½ years, fell ill, and he was
notified by the doctor in attendance as suffering from enteric fever
on January 25th. He, too, was retained at home with Cyril and
nursed by his mother. On or about the 3rd of March, Mrs. S.,
mother and nurse to the above, fell ill with what was notified on
the 9th March as enteric fever. She was removed to hospital on
the same day. This family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. S. and five
children. The sick children were isolated in a room by themselves.
The accommodation for the whole family consisted of four rooms and
a scullery. The source of Cyril and Sidney's illness was not ascertained
; but that of Reginald and Mrs. S. appear to be due to direct
infection from Cyril, who was nursed at home. I may add here
that the children were retained at home on a certificate from the
attending medical practitioner.
On inspection no insanitary condition was found except that the
house required cleaning.
Group 2.—Sidney B., aged 13 years, residing at 23, H. Street, was
taken ill on or about the 16th June, 1905. He was notified as
suffering from enteric fever on the 22nd June, and removed to the
Fever Hospital on the same day.
Elizabeth B., aged 12 years, sister of above, fell ill on or about
the 11th July of the same year, and was notified as suffering from