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26
harmful organisms, which obtaining access to the pie, rapidly multiplied,
,at the high temperature of the room, producing a poison,
alkaloidal or otherwise, which taken on the Monday with the meat
pie produced the symptoms complained of.
I was unable to obtain any of the pie, for the jwhole of it was
consumed on the Monday; so have no proof from bacteriological
analysis to offer in support of the above opinion.
Thus. I believe that choked drains evolving foul smells, together
with the general insanitary condition of the place, assisted by the
high temperature, are responsible for the illness of this family.
The symptoms of poisoning coming on so soon after the dinner
on Monday, i.e., within two hours, induces me to think that a considerable
amount of the poison had been produced in the pie, prior
to its being eaten. Had the micro-organisms alone been present,
the symptoms would in all probability have been delayed much
longer.
This case of food poisoning resembles in its history, certain
cases which have occurred at different times in various parts of the
country, the most notable of which were at (1) Bishop Stortford
it. 1882; (2) Whitchurch in 1878; (3) Whitchurch in 1882; (4)
Retford in 1887. In the first case the poisonous food was beef; in
the second, brawn; in the third, pork; in the last, pork pie. In
the whole of the cases there was this similarity, that some of the
food was eaten soon after cooking, but no ill effects followed, but
that later, the period varying in each case, the food became very
poisonous, and produced disastrous results in those eating it.
The Homerton case emphasises again the need for removing all
sources of effluvia where food is stored, especially during the summer
months.
Note.—Of course, immediately on the discovery of the defective
condition of the drains, etc., at 24, Homer Road, notices .were served
on the owner to put the house into a sanitary state.
I remain, Gentlemen, yours obediently,
J. KING-WARRY, M.D., D.P.H.,
July 10th, 1895. Medical Officer of Health.