View report page

75
[1896
the disease could not be traced. He had only been a lodger in this
house a few days when attacked, from which it is clear that the infection
was not contracted in it. He had previously lived with relatives in a
house at t he opposite side of the street, but they were free from infection.
Twenty cases were notified in the Third Quarter, of which 20 cases
10 were notified in July, 4 in August, and 6 in September (5 weeks)
The disease was chiefly confined to Upper Holloway, where 12 cases
were reported; 2 occurred in Islington South-west, and 6 in Highbury.
From South-east Islington no case was notified.
Towards the end of June it became necessary to advise the Public
Health Committee that it would be well to employ additional
medical assistance so as to make a house-to-house inspection in the
streets in which Small Pox had appeared, particularly in Campbell Road,
in order to ascertain if any cases remained undiscovered, and also to
vaccinate, if permission were given, all persons who had been exposed to
infection. The Committee at once gave their assent, and it was
fortunate enough to secure the services of Dr. Leslie Thorne (son of
Sir Richard Thorne, Medical Officer of the Local Government), who at
once commenced his duties, and for four weeks diligently kept watch
and ward over those houses and streets in which Small Pox had
appeared. This action of the Public Health Committee was most
prudent, and was the means of bringing to an end what might have
proved a much more serious outbreak.
In this connection it must not be omitted to mention the
very ready services afforded by Inspector Sweeney (formerly a
Sanitary Inspector of the Islington Vestry, but now Inspector of
Common Lodging Houses for the London County Council), as well as
by Inspectors Jordan and Grivell, of the Vestry's staff, who spared
neither time nor pains in doing what they could to assist in checking
the outbreak. It must also be mentioned that to Inspector Ward is
due the great credit in tracing the cases of Small Pox at Hornsey Rise,
which, but for his timely discovery, might have spread the disease
broadcast in the district.