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41
From the administrative side it deserves to be noted how it
was possible for early localisation of the source of the mischief
to be effected. I have to acknowledge the cordial assistance
given by the proprietors and the manager of the dairy.
As soon as the proprietors became aware that any suspicion
attached to the milk, every step was taken by them to prevent
the distribution of the milk from the suspected farm amongst
their customers.
To Dr. Taylor, the County Medical Officer of Health for Berkshire,
the district is indebted to an extent that is not easily appreciated.
His system of recording the incidence of the Infectious Disease
in the County enabled him to localise the mischief immediately.
If I record the steps taken, the value of his services can be partly
gauged.
On Saturday, April 22nd, eight cases of Scarlet Fever were
notified. As a result of inquiries, a milk supply was suspected.
Monday, April 24th, the dairy was visited, and late on the same
evening the names of the particular farms that supplied the dairy
were obtained. By mid-day, April 25th, a case of Scarlet Fever
had been detected on one of the farms and the milk supply
stopped.
Another increase occurred in the autumn. On the reopening
of the schools after the summer holidays a few cases occurred,
but it was not until the first week in October that the number of
notifications assumed serious proportions. A large number of the
children attacked were in attendance in the South Acton School,
and, as is usual in these circumstances, some "missed" cases
were found.
The age distribution of the cases notified, together with
the number removed to hospital, will be found on Table II