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considered free from infection until three consecutive negative
specimens taken at weekly intervals have been obtained. The effect
of treatment by one or other of the sulpha drugs is duly taken
into account in this connection.
So far as can be ascertained, this outbreak was confined to the
ten families in contact with the original family which brought the
infection to Southgate. At the time of writing this report all the
positive "carriers" are free from infection, with the exception of
six children. These children will be kept under supervision until
the requisite number of negative specimens have been obtained.
Laboratory work has been carried out by the Central Public
Health Laboratory Service (Edmonton Local Laboratory), with
whom the closest contact has been maintained. General practitioners
in the area, and surrounding local authorities concerned,
have been informed of developments.
Outbreak of Sonne Dysentery.—On the 16th November, the
Headmistress of Garfield Road School, New Southgate, N.ll,
reported that thirteen cases of diarrhoea had occurred over the past
three weeks among children attending this school. Most of the
children affected attended the Nursery School, although there was
evidence that infection was spreading to the Infants' School. An
immediate investigation was instituted, with a view to identifying
the infecting organism and checking the spread.
Thirty-one faces specimens were obtained from children who
were suffering or had been reported to be suffering from diarrhoea.
Five of these specimens were reported negative; fifteen were notified
as containing Shigella Sonnei. Specimens were also collected from
the canteen staff working at the school, and from all the teachers
in the Nursery School. These were reported negative in every
instance. The milk supplied to the school (pasteurised) was sent
for examination, with negative results.
All the cases reported were mild, apart from an infant aged
four months admitted to St. Ann's Hospital, St. Ann's Road, N.17,
and said to be suffering from gastro-enteritis. Two children in the
same family had suffered from diarrhoea, Shigella Sonnei being
found in their stools.
Arrangements were made to exclude all children with positive
faeces from school until three consecutive negative specimens had
been obtained. The headmistress of the school was instructed to
send home all children who complained of diarrhoea, stomach pains
or sickness, and to notify the Public Health Department immediately.
A thorough inspection of the school was made, with
a view to recommending such sanitary improvements as appeared
desirable. The staff of the school were warned to exercise the
strictest care in regard to personal hygiene. Visits were paid to
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