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In Table T, (Appendix) the localities are given from which the
sick came; while the former residences in all fatal cases are set
down in Table K (also in the Appendix).
For most of the facts connected with the epidemic we must rely
on the statistical and other informtion supplied by the Medical
Superintendents of the several Hospitals, and I proceed to state a
few particulars derived from recently published reports of some of
those gentlemen. Mr. Marson, of the old Hospital at Islington,
informs us that out of 950 persons admitted during the year
870 (91'5 per cent) had been vaccinated, and 74 (7 78 per cent.)
were unvaccinated. Six of the patients were reported to have
had Small Pox previously. Of the 74 unvaccinated cases 49
died (66'2 per cent.); of the 870 vaccinated cases 130 died
(14*9 per cent.); of the 6 cases classed as Small Pox after Small
Pox, 2 died {33-3 per cent.). The general mortality was 19 per
cent on the attacks—a very heavy rate, nearly double the average of
the past 16 years, due to the severity of the disease, and especially to
the number of cases of malignant Small Pox, the proportion of which
to other cases—double in the unvaccinated to the vaccinated cases,
and all fatal—was very largely in excess of anything within the
previous experience of the Officers of the Hospital.
At the Hampstead Hospital 6221 patients were admitted, of whom,
Dr. Grieve remarks, that 1248 were without marks of vaccination,
and of these 638 (51'12 percent.) died; whilst of 4973 who shewed
proofs of being vaccinated, 567 only died, equal to 11'40 per cent.
The general per-centage of mortality was 19 36 per cent. The
disease in unvaccinated persons was most fatal in the young
(upwards of 70 per ceut. under 5 years of age) and to the aged,
those who were admitted at ages above 60 all dying; but these
were few in number, the susceptibility to attack rapidly diminishing
as age advances.
Dr. Collie, of the Stockwell Hospital, reports the admission of
2288 cases in 12 months, ending 30th January, 1872, of which
number 427 died, equal to 18'6 per cent.
It was found that both the quality and quantity of vaccination had
great influence over the disease, i.e., the better the marks of vaccination,
and the more of them the lower the mortality. Vaccination is
not, indeed, the simple operation many take it to be: great care
being requisite in the selection of good lymph: i.e., from a healthy
child having characteristic marks, and in choosing a proper time for
the operation, i.e., when the child is in good health: and in the
performance of the operation itself. All these conditions being duly
attended to, the vaccination will be succesful, proved by large and