View report page

12
Last year, 468 cases of measles were notified; this year, only 29
cases were notified, the smallest number since 1895, when 26 cases
were notified. Two epidemics of scarlet fever occurred, in March
12 cases were notified caused by house to house visiting, and that
in June by contaminated railway borne milk and was distinguished
by the large number of adults that contracted the disease, 12
between the age of 16 and 46.
One case of enteric fever was notified, which had been
contracted in London, and one case of puerperal fever which proved
fatal ; the first case notified in the district for 14 years.
SCARLET FEVER.
From February 27th to March 31st, an epidemic of scarlet
fever and diphtheria occurred in George, Queens and Albert Roads,
streets running parallel to each other from Burlington Road.
Seven cases of Diphtheria and nine of Scarlet Fever were notified.
The epidemic was peculiar as it was almost impossible to distinguish,
in the early stages, the two diseases. On February 27th a lad of
eighteen had been suffering from sore throat; diphtheria was
suspected; bacteriological examination gave a negative result; he
became seriously ill, the difficulty of breathing being so great that
Tracheotomy was performed; after four days diphtheretic membrane
appeared, he was removed to the Hospital; the Hospital note said,
a most severe case of diphtheria. On the two following days three
sisters living in the same house were notified as diphtheria;
bacteriological examination gave a positive result (presence of
Klebs bacillus). Before leaving the Hospital all these had the
usual skin peeling of scarlet fever. On March 8th a man who had
sat up with the first case the night of the operation, contracted
scarlet ever. On March 20th an adult aged 39 was notified as
scarlet fever; in his house was found a child peeling ; the man's
shirts were washed at an infected house number 6, and his wife
had paid numerous visits to number 12; five cases were notified in
this house. At number 10 one case of scarlet fever and one case
of diphtheria were notified. There is no doubt that the disease, in
spite of warnings to the contrary, was caused by the constant
visiting of the occupants; it is also clear that at least four cases
had the dual disease, diphtheria and scarlet fever. The drainage
was defective, but the greater portion has since been re-laid.