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The above table shows that the deaths last year from measles,
whooping cough, typhus fever, and English cholera were collectively
decreased 105 as compared with the year previous, while
the deaths from smallpox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, enteric or
typhoid fever, and diarrhoea were collectively increased 100.
Smallpox Epidemic.
A severe outbreak of smallpox occurred in the East end of
London towards the end of the year 1880. At the end of January,
1881, the Western districts of the Metropolis became infected, and
during the month of February a considerable number of cases
were reported in this district. At the commencement of the
month of December, 1880, I prognosticated that there was going
to be a severe epidemic, and you will remember that I gave it as
my opinion that the hospital accommodation which was then
provided at the several smallpox hospitals, would not be anything
like sufficient for the isolation of the cases that would
require removal. I strongly advised your Board to provide additional
and independent accommodation for the cases that I
thought would occur in this district. My inference was proved
to be only too correct, as may be seen by reference to tables VI.
and VII. To be forewarned was to be forearmed. If I am not
very much mistaken the Fulham district was the only district in
London in which on case of smallpox was left at home owing to
the want of a vacant bed at the hospital. In some of the districts
of London hundreds of cases had to be left at home to spread
the disease, and consequently there was a great sacrifice of human
life. By reference to table VIII, it may be seen that the number
of deaths from smallpox in this district last year was only one