Special report on the outbreak of typhoid fever in Southend during June and July, 1902 / by J.T.C. Nash.

  • Nash, James Thomas Charles, 1865-
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Special report on the outbreak of typhoid fever in Southend during June and July, 1902 / by J.T.C. Nash. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    stand that germs can be carried to the mouth by the unwashed hands after touching infective shellfish, just in the same manner as from clothing infected with typhoid dejecta. This latter method of infection is the usual source of secondary cases. With respect to the endemiology of Typhoid Fever, the history of Southend bears out the history of many larger towns—that soil pollution is a potent factor. This is clearly proved by the decrease in the notification rate, coincidental with improved drainage, as represented in the diagram (shown above). With respect, however, to the epidemiology of Typhoid Fever, I think that the evidence which has been accumulating as to the connection between shellfish and Typhoid Fever throws considerable illumination on the seasonal incidence of the disease. Hitherto the commonest explanation of this has been founded on Pettenkofer’s theory as to the influence of the rise and fall of the subsoil water, and on Ballard’s note as to the relationship between a four-feet earth temperature of 56° F. and dianhoeal diseases. I think a further explanation may be reasoned as follows :— The close season for shellfish is usually embraced by the four months which are spelt without an “r”—May, June, July, August. These are the four months when Typhoid Fever is least prevalent. The coincidence is a striking one, at any rate. More shellfish are consumed between the middle of August and March than from April to August. Shellfish are consumed through August and September in greater numbers than during any other month. This period cor- responds with an abrupt rise in the incidence of Typhoid Fever. This is illustrated in the following curves :— Enteric Fever.—London Deaths, 1869-90.