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contact with Scarlet Fever may suffer from the disease in a mild
form, without exhibiting all the symptoms. In Diphtheria the
"carrier" case is well known; that is, a person may carry in
his throat the germs of Diphtheria without exhibiting any of the
symptoms of the disease. Moreover, the "carrier" case may
transmit the disease in a virulent form to those with whom it
comes in contact. It is possible that a phenomenon somewhat
similar in its character may occur in Scarlet Fever. In houses
where Scarlet Fever has appeared, some of the children suffer
from a sore throat, but do not exhibit any other symptom of
Scarlet Fever. These instances of sore throat are possiblv
abortive attacks of Scarlet Fever. The sufferers enjoy a certain
amount of natural immunity, but can in this state, and subsequently,
act as infecting agents to those with whom they come in
contact and thus transmit the disease. It is difficult otherwise to
explain those instances where Scarlet Fever recurs in a house
after an interval of some weeks has elapsed since a case has been
removed to the Hospital. No undoubted proof of an incubation
period of more than seven days has been adduced in the case of
Scarlet Fever, and yet cases occur after an interval of some weeks
has elapsed since any contact could have taken place with a
previous case of the disease. The interval is probably bridged
over by an abortive attack of the disease, the sufferer only
exhibiting the symptoms of a sore throat. A possible instance of
this kind is mentioned on a preceding page. Another instance
might be cited. Four cases of Scarlet Fever occurred in the
Cottage Hospital during the early part of the year. The date of
the notifications were February 7th, February 12th, March 3rd, and
March 7th. It will be seen that the interval which elapsed
between the occurrence of the second and third case is considerably
more than can be bridged over by the incubation period, and no
explanation could be given apart from the occurrence of a possible
abortive case exhibiting only the symptoms of a slight sore throat.
Acting on this assumption, every school child from a house
where a case of Scarlet Fever has occurred is examined at the end
of 8 days after the removal of the patient to Hospital or after
the disinfection of the premises, and if any history of recent sore