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46
history could be obtained came under this class. Of the others
infection was attributed to eating oysters by 5, mussels by 4, watercress
by 1. Two persons apparently contracted the disease through visiting
at houses in which the disease already existed.
Four of the 41 cases notified were afterwards reported not to be
typhoid fever; 2 of them were cases of tuberculosis, but the other
2, and, perhaps, some of the other cases also were probably the result
of infection by an organism of the same class. Advantage was taken
to obtain the Lister Institute's opinion in 18 cases, in 7 the Widal
reaction was reported, but in 11 it was not found. In one case in
the Army hospital a test made on the ninth day failed to show the
Widal reaction, but the bacteriologist succeeded in isolating the
organism from the patient's blood.
Puerperal Fever.—Six notifications were received, and three deaths
occurred (one of a person not notified). Disinfection was carried out
after each case, including the clothing, &c., of those in attendance.
All the patients were treated in hospital or infirmary. The illness
was thought to be influenza in one patient confined in hospital, in
another there was pleurisy existing; the fever was due to an illegal
operation in one patient; in one, complaint was made that the nurse (not
the midwife) was careless, dirty and drank. The remaining cases were
in persons who were badly fed and in poor health before the confinement.
It has been suggested that the Metropolitan Asylums Board
should provide accommodation in their hospitals for persons suffering
from puerperal fever and erysipelas, but no difficulty in obtaining
hospital treatment has been experienced in Westminster.
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.—Eighty-five cases were notified in
London, 3 being in Westminster; one other was found after death.
One of the cases was wrongly notified, the illness being due to mastoid
disease of the ear.
Cholera.—This disease has been prevalent in St. Petersburg and
neighbourhood during the greater part of last year, and apparently is
persisting during the winter, I received notification from the Port
Sanitary Authorities of 47 persons coming to Westminster from affected
districts, and these were kept under observation.
Glanders.—Five intimations of cases of glanders in horses have been
received from the Veterinary Inspector of the County Council; this is
done in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of the new Order
which came into force on the 1st January, 1908. The necessary steps
in connection with the outbreaks together with the cleansing and
disinfection of the infected premises are undertaken by the officers of
the County Council.
In one instance two men employed on infected premises were away