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Thomas B — — —, aged 43, who had a wife and seven children (viz.,
John, aged 20, Ellen 18, Julia 17 (in service), Edward 11, Kate 8,
Myrtle 6, and James 4), was in public employment in another parish.
Me became unwell shortly before Christmas Day suffering much from
pain in the head, which he attributed to hard and prolonged labour.
He kept at his work, however, not collapsing till Christmas Day. He
was attended, for the first time, by Dr. Thomson (Dr. Ensor's assistant)
on December 28th. Dr. Thomson certified the disease to be "influenza,"
for the information of the patient's employers. Dr. Thomson appears
to have seen the patient twice, and then becoming disabled, the case
was taken over by Dr. Knaggs, also on behalf of Dr. Ensor, and this
gentleman gave two weekly certificates of" influenza," having apparently
paid three visits to the patient, who became convalescent in about four
weeks. At this time, January 20th, he was seen by the medical practitioner
who represents the patient's employers, who found him in a weakly
condition, and certified to his inability to resume duty. On the 22nd
January the patient was sent to a seaside convalescent home. He
returned to town on 12th February, was allowed another week off,
and returned to duty on the 19th.
From this man's illness all the other cases, 14 in number
were easily traced. The first of the group, case 2, was that
of his daughter Kate, aged 8 years. She fell ill on or about
22nd January, the illness being diagnosed as pneumonia consecutive
to influenza. The patient recovered. Case 3 was
the wife, aged 42. She fell ill on or about 16th February. Dr.
Davis was associated in the treatment of the illness, which
proved fatal on the 27th ; the cause of death as certified (by
Dr. Davis) being " influenza (12 days) pneumonia (8 days)."
Three children, Edward and Myrtle and James, aged 11, 6,
and 4, respectively (cases 4, 5, and 6) fell ill shortly after
their mother ; the illness was regarded as influenza : all three
recovered. The unfortunate Dr. Davis (aged 33) was the
next victim (case 7). He fell ill 9th March and was seen by
four doctors : no diagnosis was made. On the 15th March he
was removed to the Western Hospital, one of the medical
attendants having" provisionally certified 'typhoid probable.'"
Dr. Bruce furnished me with his notes of the case, which—
looking back — pretty clearly indicated typhus: but the