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and three died. Three of the patients lived in one house, one family at
the top, the other in the basement. Enquiries failed to show any connection
between the families, the drains and sewer were examined in
the particular section of street affected. Some slight defects were
discovered in the drains in the yards of two of the houses, but no
defects of any kind were discovered in the other two. The connections
with the sewer of these four houses were sound but reported by the
City Engineer " to be very dirty apparently insufficient water being used
to keep the drains flushed out." The sewer which was flushed out in
July was in good condition but had 3 or 4 inches of offensive deposit
in the bottom of the channel. The question of food was enquired into,
a common source of supply being a probable explanation, but this could
not be traced, and one patient had his meals away from the house
except on Sundays.
No infectious illness or deaths from diarrhœa have been recorded in
this part of the street during the last 10 years except a case of erysipelas
in one of the affected houses in the preceding July.
Measles.—The number of cases notified was 164 (350 in 1913).
There were 7 deaths as compared with 27 in 1913.
The schools affected are shown below.
Five children were removed to the Metropolitan Asylums Board's
Hospitals for treatment. Owing to the great increase in the number of
scarlet fever patients in the latter half of the year the Asylums Board
had to give up the hospital treatment of measles and whooping cough
for a time. In view of the mildness of the scarlet fever cases and the
much larger fatality in measles this decision was regrettable, but
eventually the Board decided to restrict hospital treatment for scarlet
fever to patients whose special circumstances required it.
Two hundred and four visits were paid by the women inspectors to
families in which cases were notified: advice is given verbally and printed
instructions are left at the house. Wherever necessary, the inspectors
visit throughout the illness, see that medical attendance is obtained, and
that proper attention is given to the cleanliness of the rooms, bedding,
&c. Disinfection was carried out by the Council's staff in 29 houses.
Whooping-Gough.—Information was received of 213 cases (48 in
1913) (for particulars as to schools see list below). There were 21
deaths in the City (19 of children under five years of age), in the
previous year the number was 7. Six cases were removed for treatment
by the Asylums Board.
Children suffering from whooping-cough are also visited by the
women inspectors: 215 visits were paid to families affected.
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