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confirmed. Ten days previously these children had been
living in the same house as S. A visit was at once made to
the premises, and full enquiries instituted to trace the source
of infection. S. had been out of work for some time, and
had wandered about looking for work, but the two children
had not been out of the District even for a single day. All the
ordinary means of infection were carefully enquired into,
but without result.
A sample of water was taken from the drinking water
cistern and also from the main, but no evidence of animal
contamination could be detected either by chemical or
bacteriological analysis; the sample from the main shewed a
high degree of purity.
Owing to the character of the District the opportunity
was taken to make a house-to-house inspection, which was
forthwith undertaken by myself and Mr. Franklin. The
drainage and sanitary conveniences were examined and tested,
but beyond slight defects nothing of a serious nature was
discovered. The water cisterns were also looked to, and any
other sanitary defects noted and brought to the notice of the
person responsible. I shauld add here, that although these
houses are inhabited by the poorer classes, the condition of
these dwellings, from a sanitary point of view, was far better
than I anticipated, and in no instance was any serious defect
noted, this being due, doubtless, to the attention this district
has received in the past.
No further case of illness was notified till September 1st.
On the afternoon of that date information was received of
3 cases of enteric fever, viz: 2 adults, L. and L.T., and one
child, M.P. One adult was cousin of G.T. and R.T., but
living in a different house. The two other cases, L. and M.P.,
grandmother and grandchild, occurred in the same house.
On September 3rd two other cases were notified, viz:
W1.C. and L.C., grandchildren of L., and next door neighbour
of L.T.