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40
Briefly summarized, the reasons we had for assuming that
the outbreak was connected with the particular milk supply were
as follows:—
1. The outbreak appeared suddenly, and the subsidence was
equally prompt.
2. The cases were almost entirely limited to those families
who used the milk of a certain dairy.
3. Those members of the family who drank uncooked
milk were mostly infected.
4. The houses invaded were quite distant from each other,
and not restricted to a particular part of the district.
5. The only condition common to all the houses affected
was the milk supply.
6. The proportion of adults among the affected was high.
7. The outbreak was preceded by the occurrence of Scarlet
Fever among one of the milkers.
The present outbreak differs from most milk outbreaks in
its limited character. This may be explained in many ways.
The dairy supplies about 300 families in Acton, but this particular
supply is obtained from three farms. The milk from these farms
is not mixed, so that only about 100 families would be supplied
with the suspected milk. This would tend to limit its extent.
The period during which it could remain infected was also
limited.
The milk was pasteurized on April 21st; G. R. had been
examined by Dr. Taylor, and the milk had been refused by the
firm on April 25th, before G. R. had resumed milking.
These circumstances would tend to limit the extent of the
outbreak.