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20
Taking the whole epidemic, it will be noted that the
intensity of the attack fell on ithe 18th, 19th, 20th and
21st with 27 notifications, whilst 4 were received on the
24th, and one each on the 27th and 29th.
The District having been previously almost free from
the disease in question, the sudden nature of the onset,
coupled with the fact that the cases were almost wholly
in houses receiving the particular milk, and the absence
of the disease from the area where these particular milkmen
supplied very little milk, gave presumptive evidence
as to the cause of the epidemic. The fact also that the
attack was almost confined to children under ten years,
that is to say, that portion of the population who consume
most milk, supplied confirmatory evidence as to the
cause. Only four persons were over fifteen, of whom
three were of the female sex, again the incidence being
in the milk-drinkers. Another interesting point observed:
unboiled milk was used in 27 instances.
From the table of notifications and the enclosed map,
it will be seen that the last date on which a case supplied
by the suspected milk occurred was on the 24th, so that,
as far as the particular cause under discussion is concerned,
it may with reason be assumed to be art an end.
Up to now, I have narrated the course of events so
far as Merton is concerned, and reasons have been given
for my conclusion that the milk was at fault.
To Dr. Henry Jones, the acting County Medical
Officer of Health for Surrey, and also to Dr. Hamar of the
London County Council, must be given the great credit of
having supplied the proof, when he went to the suspected
district and traced the actual cause to one particular farm,
where suspected cases of Scarlet Fever had occurred, and
where there were a large number of cows with udder
disease.