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16
A.—NOTIFIABLE DISEASES.
Small Pox.—Two cases of this disease were notified in this district
towards the end of December. The disease in both cases was
contracted in the Eastern Fever Hospital, Homerton, where these
persons had been removed suffering from scarlet fever. It appears
that a person supposed to be suffering from scarlet fever was
admitted to the E.F. Hospital in the month of Dec. It was soon after
ascertained that he was really suffering from small-pox. As soon as
this was known he was removed to the Small-Pox Hospital. In the
meantime several patients in the same ward became infected,
amongst whom were the two above mentioned from this district.
The following are the particulars of the Hackney cases:—
1. H.R., aged 19 years, entered the Eastern Hospital, Dec.
3rd, suffering from scarlet fever, and was notified by the Medical
Superintendent as suffering from Small-pox on Dec. 20th, 1899.
State of vaccination not known.
2. A.S., aged nine years, entered the Eastern Hospital, Nov.
17th, suffering from Scarlet Fever, and was notified by the
Medical Superintendent as suffering from Small-pox on Dec.
27th, 1899. State of vaccination not known.
Scarlatina.—This disease was slightly less prevalent during 1899
than the previous year, 986 cases being notified as against 1,002 in
1898, the difference being 16. But of above total, 19 cases were
returned from the Fever Hospital by the Medical Superintendent as
not suffering from any infectious disease, thus reducing the cases to
967. This is equal to an attack rate of 4.3 per 1,000 living persons.
The deaths numbered only 15, which gives a mortality rate of 1.5
per cent, attacked. Both the attack and mortality rates are lower
than during 1898.
The disease was below the average during the first six months of
the year; then a gradual increase set in which reached its highest
point in the second week of October. This was followed by a
rapid decline to the end of the year. These changes may be seen in