View report page

10
the epidemic, and it would appear to be not at all improbable that
these sore throats were primarily due to the climatic conditions just
mentioned; and the disease once started, its rapid progress would be
accounted for by personal contact.
While on this point I think it is worth mentioning that it was
during this warm weather that the outbreak assumed its most serious
aspect, and that as colder weather set in the notifications dropped
considerably. There was also a noticeable reduction in the disease
since the 14th of December when we had a heavy fall of rain, and a
thunderstorm; while since the snowfall and hard frost that followed
near the end of the month, the disease has almost disappeared, a case
occurring only now and then.
ENFIELD LOCK.
While the outbreak proper was taking place in Enfield, a smaller
outbreak was going on in the neighbourhood of Enfield Lock, 56
cases having been notified from July to December, but I have not
been able to trace any connection between the two.
Diphtheria has been rather prevalent on the eastern side during
the early part of the year, 35 cases having been reported up to the end
of July, and I am inclined to think that the 56 cases in the autumn
were a recrudescence of the disease.
35 of the cases have already been referred to in my remarks on
Chesterfield Road School, and it is interesting to note that 25 of the
cases occurred in 10 houses.
MEASURES TAKEN TO COPE WITH THE DISEASE.
In addition to those measures already mentioned, every endeavour
was made to ensure proper isolation of those cases not removed to
hospital, also of contacts and doubtful cases, and quite early in the
epidemic I sent a circular letter to every member of the Medical
profession practising in the neighbourhood, drawing their attention
to the fact that an outbreak of Diphtheria had arisen, and requesting
them to secure as far as possible the isolation of any cases of sore
throat that might come under their notice.
Inspection of premises and full inquiries were made in each case,
and close attention was also given to secure the speedy abatement of