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38
weeks passed by without any fresh cases, but on November
18th a further case occurred, viz.: M.L. Since that date no
other notifications have been received.
On September 1st steps were immediately taken to trace
the source of infection and to prevent the spread of the
disease. In the first place a detailed enquiry was made as to
the milk and food supply, and this possible source of infection
was soon eliminated. A chemical and bacteriological
examination was made of the drinking water of the infected
houses, but no evidence of animal contamination could bo
detected. Enquiry elicited the fact that several of the
inhabitants worked at large institutions, but this possible
source of infection was also excluded after enquiry from the
Medical Officers of Health of the Districts in which these
institutions are situated.
I was informed that the ditch at the end of this road took
its origin from another ditch, which receives the sewage of
two or three houses. Thinking that this might be a possible
source of infection, as it was well known that the children
are in the habit of playing about and paddling in this ditch,
enquiry was made at these houses as to any recent illness, but
without result. A chemical examination of the water from
this ditch shewed pollution, but no specific organisms could be
detected on bacteriological examination.
Information was also obtained that second-hand clothes
dealers were in the habit of frequenting this neighbourhood,
and enquiry was made as to this possible source of infection,
but without result.
On making enquiries at every house as to any other
cases of suspicious illness, information was gained that A.T.,
brother of L.T., and cousin of G.T. and R. T., and next door
neighbour to W1.C. and L.C. had been ill, but had left for the
country, not far from Finchley, for his health. Enquiries were
made of the doctor who was then attending him, and