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39
ANTHRAX.
A case of Anthrax in the person of H. B. M., aged 51, male, of 7, Sandwich
Street, W.C. 1, was reported as having died on 26th June, 1916, and was subsequently
notified to the Medical Officer of Health. Inquiries elicited the
following facts:—
The deceased lived at this address and worked as a waterside labourer. On 20th
June he was engaged at Hibernia Wharf, Montague Close, Southwark, opening
bags of Persian wool for inspection before sale. On 21st June a boil appealed
on the left side of the neck, which was swollen, hot, and painful. He slept at
home that night. Next day (22nd) he was admitted to Guy's Hospital, when
the part was excised, and he died there on 26th June. The diagnosis of
Anthrax was based on bacteriological evidence.
There was no evidence of infection from shaving brushes, as was the case in certain
instances of the disease in London and elsewhere prior to this.
The verdict of the Coroner's court was "Coma : Meningitis : infection by Anthrax
bacillus while handling Persian or China wool at work : Misadventure."
Disinfection at 7, Sandwich Street, was carried out, and there were no
further cases.
OTHER NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
No cases of Small-pox, Typhus, Glanders or Hydrophobia in man or
animals, Cholera, or Plague, were reported in St. Pancras during the year.
In 9 instances persons who had been in possible contact with cases of Smallpox
(mostly on shipboard) were reported as having arrived in St. Pancras.
These comprised 55 persons, and they were kept under observation, with
negative results.
17 soldiers were reported by the military authorities as returning to St.
Pancras addresses after suffering from Dysentery. These were all visited,
and 10 of them stated they were still suffering from abdominal pains (6 with
diarrhœa also) and 2 from other symptoms; 2 were in good health; and in
the case of 3 no information was obtained. No cases of the disease were
caused by the return of these men.
40 soldiers were similarly reported on coming to St. Pancras after typhoid
or paratyphoid fever. They were all visited, and there was no evidence of
their causing secondary cases.