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55
were carried out with a view to learn if these bacilli were
actually the cause of the infection. A paratyphoid bacillus
was found in the milk, but the blood sera of several patients,
though giving a positive Widal reaction, did not agglutinate
the paratyphoid bacilli found in the boy and in the milk.
The investigation was therefore inconclusive, though leaving
a suspicion that the boy was the source of infection. No
history of illness could be obtained with regard to this boy.
Steps were taken to prevent him continuing in the milk
business. The dairyman and his wife and servant were also
examined bacteriologically with a negative result, except that
Gartner's bacillus was found in the faeces of the servant.
The dairyman's wife and servant were stated not to have
anything to do with the milk that went on the round, but as
a precaution the dairyman was advised not to bring this
milk to the shop, and arrangements were made to take it to
other premises occupied as a dairy by a friend.
A list of his customers was obtained from M, comprising
242 addresses, and a circular letter was sent to all the
occupiers warning them as to the advisability of boiling the
milk before using it. It is true that at three patients'
houses out of the 12 affected the milk was stated to be
always boiled.
The suspected boy left the business on the 12th December.
The dates of commencement of illness of the 13 primary
cases were within three weeks of the 12th December with
two exceptions, viz., the 5th and 10th January.
In the course of observations made by the Chief Sanitary
Inspector at the Station as to how the milk was dealt with,
a porter was observed to dip a mug into one of the churns
and help himself to a pint of milk. When challenged he