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of the milk. A comparison of the bacteria found respectively
in the tank water and the milk, shows that there was a close
resemblance between them, and increases the probability that
this water found its way into the milk.
In the absence of any evidence of a pre-existing case of
Enteric, it is impossible to say more than that this offers a
not unlikely explanation.
40. The Beveridge Epidemic.— An almost parallel case
reported by Dr. Beveridge, of Aberdeen, is referred to by
Dr. Ernest Hart, in the British Medical Journal for July 13th,
1895. Here an epidemic affecting 322 people was traced to
the milk from a farm:—
"The cistern at the farm was situated at a corner of the
cowshed, its contents being used for all dairy and byre
purposes. Analysis showed the water to be pure prior to
entry into the cistern, but to become highly polluted with
organic matter while in the cistern. All the 322 cases of fever
occurring in the month of April were in consumers of the milk
from this dairy, and no condition of the milch cows could be
discovered, after very careful examination, to account for the
infectivity of the milk by the cattle. No one taking other
milk was attacked, and persons whose cans were not washed
in the cistern water escaped the fever."
"The case is interesting as showing that despite the patent
fact that the water was the vera causa of the epidemic, there
is no knowing in what manner the water obtained its infective
quality."
In the case of the Plumstead dairy, the use of th3 tank
water, even for washing the cans, was denied. But in all
other respects the two epidemics are analogous,