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61
APPENDIX B.
REPORT AS TO THE
PREVALENCE OP SCARLET FEVER.
22nd February, 1899.
There has been a greatly increased prevalence of Scarlet
Fever. In the corresponding period last year there were 17
cases only. The prevalence is distributed all over the parish,
and does not seem to be specially connected with any one
school. I have endeavoured to trace some connection between
the milk supply and the Scarlet Fever. There appeared no
reason to suspect any local cowshed, and when I came to
examine the source of supply of dairies whose milk is imported,
the matter became very complicated, and so far I have been
unable to localise all tbe dairy supplies. I find that milk
provided by one firm, having apparently three dairies in a
distant county, supply directly or indirectly, regularly or
occasionally, nine local dealers.
These dealers supplied about half the families where cases
have occurred. Looking at the number of dealers in the
district, this proportion cannot be said to give any strong
reasons for suspecting the milk of tbe Company referred to.
On the other hand, one Company of milk contractors
has practically refused to tell me the source of their milk, and
as the previously mentioned Company's supply is so wide, it is
possible that I have not found all the dairymen who deal with
him. Knowing as we do, that milk frequently does convey the
infection of Scarlet Fever, and that there was a considerable
prevalence in P umstead from this cause some five years ago,
I am inclined to attribute the present prevalence to the
imported milk supply.
It is obvious that local authorities have not sufficient powers
for dealing with imported milk, and I recommend that the
Local Government Board and County Council be written to as
to the necessity for milk contractors being compelled to declare
the source of their milk. It is useless having power to prevent
the sale of milk from a dairy, if there is no power to discover
what dairy the milk comes from. Meanwhile, I can only
recommend that people should be again warned by hand-bill
to boil their milk, especially milk not coming from local cowsheds.
There is an increased prevalence of Scarlet Fever also in
Charlton and Woolwich.
The cases appear to be, on the whole, of a mild nature. So
far, I have only heard of two deaths.