Report of the Committee of Visitors, the Medical Superintendents, and other papers relating to the asylums : printed in pursuance of the standing orders of the County Council 1917-1918 / Essex and Colchester Lunatic Asylums.

  • Essex and Colchester Lunatic Asylums.
Date:
1918
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the Committee of Visitors, the Medical Superintendents, and other papers relating to the asylums : printed in pursuance of the standing orders of the County Council 1917-1918 / Essex and Colchester Lunatic Asylums. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/136 (page 22)
    June 28. Simultaneously cases occurred at * The Chestnuts ’ and at ‘ Harold Court.’ Including these cases there have been in all 55 cases amongst the Staff and 81 amongst the patients. Of the former—8 were males and 47 females ; of the latter 44 were males and 38 females. One of the male staff and 8 of the female staff died ; and the deaths amongst the patients, were 14 males and 7 females, (2 of these at ‘ The Chestnuts.’) The total attacks therefore amounted to 137, and the deaths to 30; and the large majority occurred during the first four weeks, viz., 106, the largest number in any one week occurring in the second, ending March 27, when 30 members of the Staff and 21 patients fell ill. The characters of the outbreak were suggestive of its cause being due to food-infection, and this was confirmed by the thorough investigation made by Dr. Candler, Medical Inspector of the Local Government Board with the assistance of Dr. Thresh, County Medical Officer. It was particularly significant that amongst the patients the incidence fell mainly on the workers, who, in common with the Staff, have a cheese ration, and that this article of food is one which is furnished to the branch establishments from the central stores. Although it was surmised that the cheese might have been infected by a ‘ Carrier ’ concerned in its distribution—this was not proved ; and the precise mode of its contamination must remain an open question. Dr. Candler furnished a very detailed and exhaustive report of his inquiry, in which the whole question is thoroughly discussed. To insure immunity from further infection, all members of the Staff and patients, who had escaped attack in the epidemic and who submitted to it, were subjected to anti-typhoid inoculation, the procedure commencing on August 9th, and continued until completed. Further measures of prophylaxis, in which the Authorities have had the advantage of the advice of Drs. Candler and Thresh have concerned the adoption of a thorough system for the