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45
Whilst on the subject of smallpox, mention may be
made of the fact that on August 2nd, 1895, a letter was
received by the Vestry from the Local Government Board
asking them to instruct their Medical Officer of Health to
visit all cases of smallpox, and to take such measures as
might be necessary to secure, as far as possible and as far
as practicable—
(a) The isolation of the patient.
(b) The vaccination of any person who may have been
exposed to infection.
(c) The thorough disinfection of the premises, and
(d) The checking of the extension of the disease.
Further, the Vestry were to instruct their Medical
Officer of Health to report in detail to them all particulars,
as to precautionary measures taken in each individual case,
and to furnish the Local Government Board with a copy of
such reports.
It may be added that all this is extra work thrown
upon your Medical Officer of Health, who, the Vestry have
(as already pointed out on page 21) wisely decided, shall
now devote the whole of his time to the duties of his
Office.
SCARLET FEVER.
During 1895, 53 deaths were registered from scarlet
fever, as compared with 64 during 1894, and an annual
average of 65 9 for the last ten years (1885 to 1894).
1,389 cases were notified, and of these 911 were treated
at their own homes, and 478 were removed to hospital.
The case mortality for the year is, therefore, 3.8%
varying in wide limits in the different Registration Sub-