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(3) The suspicion that the source of infection was an unrecognized case in the
neighbourhood arose after searching the death returns for the period between the
beginning of the year and the date of the occurrence of the cases. This revealed the
fact that there had been a death in a house adjoining that occupied by J.T., the
cause of which seemed somewhat uncertain. Enquiries were at once instituted with
regard to this case, and it was found that the deceased, a woman, had been exceedingly
friendly with J.T., had indeed, until compelled by illness to take to bed, assisted in
looking after her.
A description obtained from the physician who attended this woman and who
conducted an examination after death, strengthened the opinion that the condition
from which she suffered and from which she died was enteric fever.
When the enquiries were made the woman had been dead for some months, and
it was found impossible to get accurate information with regard to date of sickening
and so on. Nevertheless it was taken as highly probable that she had the fever
before J.T., and that the attack in this case originated from her.
As soon as J.T. and R.N. were found to have been infected, arrangements
were made for their isolation, the house in which they resided was thoroughly
disinfected, and all other precautions that seemed necessary were taken.
Following the taking of these steps no further cases occurred, which seems to
suggest that they exerted some influence.
Of the remainder of the total 36 cases, the source of infection appeared to have
been acquired outside the Borough in four cases. In six cases contaminated food was
believed to be the source, the article suspected being shell-fish and fish in three and
watercress in three.
The deaths numbered seven in all which gives a case mortality of 19.4 per cent.
The cases were distributed as follows: St. Mary, 9; Christ Church, 16;
All Souls, 7; and St. Johns 4. Four of the deaths occurred in Christ Church, and
1 in each of the three other sub-districts.
A complete examination of the premises was made in each case and resulted in
the discovery of nuisances in six cases. The defects were remedied by the
persons responsible after notice had been served.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
Only one case of this disease, a child 1 year old, was notified. Isolation and
treatment were carried out in a hospital, but the patient died.