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Having regard to the number of Louses in each street, it
would appear that there was an especial prevalence in Griffin
Eoad, Frederick Place, Sutcliffe Road, and Francis Street.
28. Table V. also shews that, among Schools, Ancona Road
was most affected, and, after it, Purrett Road, Burrage Grove,
Earl Street, and the Slade. Two of these Schools, viz., Earl
Street and Ancona Road, had the highest number of cases last
year.
It is noteworthy that of the three neighbouring Schools,
Ancona Road, Plumstead Road, and High Street, whereas at
the first, one child was affected out of every 12, at the other
two, only one child out of 50, and one out of 60, respectively,
were affected.
29. Table XI. gives, in graphic form, the number of cases
which occurred in each week of the year. It shews that the
two highest number of cases occurred in January and February,
and the third highest in November.
30. In seeking for the source of an increased prevalence of
Scarlet Fever it must be remembered that this disease is considered
to be caused solely by infection, which is usually
conveyed directly from person to person by the breath, and by
particles of secretion, discharges and desquamating skin ; less
often indirectly by clothing, toys, &c., or by a third person.
It is also known that milk may convey the infection, and it
seems probable that there is a diseased condition of the cow
corresponding to Scarlet Fever which causes the milk to produce
that disease in consumers. Insanitary conditions, such
as defective drains, polluted soil, surface filth, &c., are not
regarded as a cause of Scarlet Fever, though they no doubt
increase the fatality of Scarlet Fever where it exists. It must