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49
common lodging-houses bye-laws being 300 feet. But this
is not all. The bedding, clothing, &c., was in bad condition,
and a considerable accumulation of underclothing was found,
which, like some of the bedding, was soiled with excreta:
vermin abounded. The atmosphere of the rooms was offensive,
and it was stated that the rent collector would never go beyond
the door. Such a state of things—overcrowding and stench,
one would think, could hardly have been unknown to the
owner's representative, and it is to be regretted that it was
not made known to the sanitary inspector. Foul air, constantly
re-breathed, as was inevitable in the circumstances,
appears to me adequately to account for the illness of Thomas
B — — , which commenced at a time when he was more or less
pulled down by the excessive strain, mental and bodily, of
overwork, just before Christmas. The same conditions, plus
infection, sufficiently account for the subsequent cases in this
man's family., It is an obvious reflection, however, that there
would have been no " subsequent cases " had the nature of the
first case been recognised at an early date, and the patient
removed to hospital ; seeing that a period of more than
four weeks intervened between the first and second cases,
reckoning from the date of the initiatory symptoms, a period
considerably longer than the incubative stage, which, in case
11, (Julia B — — ) did not exceed nine or ten days.
Precautionary Measures.—No time was lost in visiting
Thomas B — 's place of work. The inspector relieved him
of his duties, forthwith, on hearing that he had come from the
bed-side of his dying son at the Infirmary. The official doctor
was apprised of the facts, and notice was sent to the medical
officers of health of neighbouring districts, in order that
persons who had been in contact with the sick might be put
under observation. The rooms in both Flats and their contents
were disinfected and cleansed. The owner of the
buildings was apprised of the outbreak, and readily consented
to do whatever was considered necessary to prevent spread of
the disease. Happily there was none.