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47
In every instance the type of organism which was isolated from the stool was the
Sonne bacillus.
The monthly distribution of the 51 cases was as follows:—January, 22; February,
8; March, 7; April, 8; May, 1; July, 1; August, 1; November, 2; December, 1. The
cases were therefore sufficiently numerous during the first two or three months of the
year to constitute a small local epidemic.
The ages of the patients varies considerably. The youngest notified patient was
aged 6 weeks and two were aged 5 months. The oldest patient was 33 years and
others were 28, 22 and 13 years, respectively. The ages of the other patients were
mostly below 8 years. Twenty-seven of the notified patients were males and 24
were females. In seven instances in which the primary cause was notified as dysentery
and the organism was isolated from the stools, examination of the house contacts
revealed the fact that at least one of the contacts in each household was carrying the
organism. Whenever possible, examination of the stools of all or the majority of the
contacts was carried out and investigation was extended to any persons who had been
closely in contact with the patients.
From the clinical notes which are available in respect of certain patients, it would
seem that in the majority of cases the attack was mild. A proportion of the patients
showed blood in the stools during the early phase of the illness and diarrhoea and
vomiting were common features.
In every case enquiries were made regarding the diet of the patients, and in certain
instances bacteriological examinations were carried out. These investigations
elicited nothing of value.
Erysipelas.
The cases certified numbered 53, and there were three deaths, 1 male and 2
females. The deaths occurred at the following ages:—
Under 1 year 2
Between 75 and 85 years 1
The disease affected all ages, but it was much more frequent in adults than in
children. The maximum incidence was in the first quarter of the year.

Twenty-five cases were removed to hospital, mostly to St. Leonard's, during the
course of the year.