HH62/1/INVERN/11

Transcription

[page] 11

Typhoid Fever - Cases have been notified from 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
and Skye Districts. I had to investigate two serious outbreaks
of this disease in the 3rd or Badenoch District. The epedemic at
Moor of Feshie was associated with insanitary houses, one of
which was unfit for human habitation. In this case I understand
a new house is to be erected by the proprietor. The other out-
break was at Moy Post office. Strathdearn. This epidemic was
associated with a polluted water supply. Measures have been
taken to remedy this state of matters.
The Badenoch District Committee have added mealsles and
whooping cough to the diseases to be notified under the Act.

MEASLES EPIDEMIC.
An epidemic of a very severe and malignant type of measles
took place in the districts of Harris, North Uist, and Skye.
In the district of North Harris, measles broke out in the month of June
(first death on 19th June). It rapidly spread over the whole
district, and caused many deaths. Dr Stewart, Tarbert, gives the
approximate number of persons affected for eight weeks ending
20th July at 236 cases. Dr Mackenzie, North Uist, writing on
24th July, states that measles was present in eight townships.
Infection was traced by Dr Mackenzie to two sources -

I. The disbanding of Inverness-shire Militia.
II. Direct infection from the adjoining parish of Harris

Dr Dewar, Portree, states that measles cases were imported into
Parishes of Kilmuir and Portree by young men who had con-
tracted the disease at Tyndrum, Argyllshire. He also states -
"One of the crew of s.s. 'Lochiel' was infected from another
source, namely, from a Militiaman returning home from Muir of
Ord Camp, and who was travelling in the eruptive stage of the
disease." From above quoted report it is observed that the Camp
Muir of Ord, is stated to have been a cause of the spread of the
disease. This camp is situated in Ross-shire. I therefore com-
municated with the Medical Officer of that County, and learned
from him how energetic he and the other authorities had been. I
also wrote the General Manager of the Highland Railway, and
pointed out the penalties attached to any contravention of sections
48 and 49 of Public Health Act, which refer to persons suffering
from infectious disease. I also communicated with Colonel Mac-
donell, who informed me that no one would leave the camp who
had not been medically discharged and was perfectly safe. The
first five cases were admitted to hospital on 15th June, the first
day after entering camp. Surgeon-Major Macfadyen is satisfied
that the infection came from Harris. He treated 135 cases of
measles in camp.
Whooping Cough - An epidemic of whooping cough spread
over Skye and the Long Island. This disease appears to have
been absent from the mainland.