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38
He had visited his family since the commencement of his
illness, and two further cases of Scarlet Fever subsequently
occurred in his home. As far as can be gathered, the history
of G, R.'s illness was as follows :—
He was away on Easter Sunday, and returned to work
on Easter Monday, April 17th. When he returned on Easter
Monday he was suffering from a swollen face, which be
attributed to "toothache.'' He continued at his work, and as
one of the milkers (D. F.) had gone away indisposed on the
Tuesday, he took D. F.'s smock and milked the cows on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon
G. R. undoubtedly was suffering from Scarlet Fever, the words
he used himself being "that his throat was very bad." He
continued at his work, though, until Friday, when he told
his employer that he could go on no longer. He remained
away from the farm until April 25th; on that date he returned
to work, but as a result of his medical examination he did
not remain at work, but was sent to his parents' home.
It will be observed that G. R. milked the cows on
April 18th, 19th and 20th, and on the 19th and 20th, at any
rate, he was suffering from Scarlet Fever, From further
inquiries, it was found that G. R. only milked the cows in the
afternoon, and that he did not assist in the morning milking.
Assuming that G. R. was not in an infectious state until
April 19th, the only two days upon which he could infect the
milk would be April 19th and 20th. The milk handled by
G. R. on April 19th and April 20th would not in the ordinary
course of events be delivered to the customers until the early
morning of April 20th and 21st respectively. The afternoon
milk was forwarded to the Dairy Company on the same day as
it was drawn, but it would not reach its destination in time for
the evening delivery of that day. It would consequently be
delivered to the customers on the following day.