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ate investigation, and found that, altogether, 24 children were
absent, and about 35 children had returned to school, who had had
symptoms overnight. In addition, 1 teacher, and 8 canteen workers
had been affected, but had recovered, and were on duty.
The symptoms, on an average, commenced about 6 to 8 hours
after partaking of the mid-day meal on the 9th January. This meal
was partaken of by 45 staff at School B, by 44 children, and 6 staff
at another School C, by 222 children, and 19 staff at School A, and
by 72 children and 7 staff at another portion of School A.
All the cases, however, were derived from the main portion of
School A, which suggested infection of one portion of the meal only.
The meal was served direct from the containers, as delivered, and
consisted of stew, peas and potatoes, jam tart and custard. As it is
an instruction, in this area, that samples of all foods should be
retained for 24 hours, I was able to obtain samples for analysis.
Furthermore, bowel samples were obtained from some of the
patients, and nose and throat samples from the canteen workers.
All proved negative to organisms of the food poisoning group.
Owing to the relatively short incubation period, the infection
would appear to have been due to a preformed toxin, but the source
remained unknown.
Bacteriologically, with toxin infection, it is difficult to detect
preformed toxin, and the organisms which cause the toxin cannot
as a rule be isolated, as they are destroyed in the cooking process.
Considering the relatively limited number affected in this outbreak,
compared to those at risk, the surmise is that a temporary
carrier infected a portion of the food only.
There were no further cases after the 10th January.
Arising out of the investigations, the question of the sterilisation
of the food containers was considered, and whilst it was
appreciated that the ideal would be steam sterilisation at all canteens,
nevertheless, it was felt that the cost would be prohibitive,
and it was decided that where possible the sterilising sinks should
be used for containers, otherwise, detergents should be used, and
boiling water.
(f) Measles.
Measles was again in epidemic form during the year. Altogether,
1,290 cases were notified, and there was 1 death reported.
Most of the cases occurred in the first 5 months of the year.
(g) Scarlet Fever.
During the month of October, a small outbreak occurred at an
Infants' School, involving 7 children—in each case the type was
very mild. It was not possible to ascertain the source of the