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56
To the Chairman and Members of the
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.
Miss Bgobbyer and Gentlemen,
During the months of July and August, 10 cases of
Typhoid Fever were notified to me as occurring in the
parishes of Mitcham and Merton. Two cases occurring
in the same family were undoubtedly contracted while
on a visit to Margate, and that it was not until the return
of the parents to Mitcham that it was recognised to be
Typhoid Fever. Excluding these two cases, therefore,
the remaining eight cases suggested, that, as they
occurred much about the same time that there was a
common cause for this outbreak. After much enquiry,
I am able to determine the probable reason of this
outbreak. I would mention here that in Wimbledon a
certain number of cases also occurred during this period
of which I have no full particulars, but 1 understand
that the cause of that outbreak is probably identical with
that in the parishes of Mitcham and Merton, namely,
contaminated fish. A man named Jeffries, residing at 62,
High Street, Merton (on the Wimbledon side of the
road), has been for some time past in the habit of selling
stewed eels outside local public houses, particularly
"The Albion," "The Prince of Wales," and "The
Nelson." Six of the patients undoubtedly ate these
eels, another case denies having had any of them, and
as it was extremely doubtful whether he had Typhoid
Fever, it would be as well to exclude him from further
consideration. Two cases, children, probably contracted
the disease from their father, who in the light of subsequent
events, seems undoubtedly to have had Typhoid