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103
Small-pox.—One death was due to this cause; the first
recorded since 1885. There were 29 cases reported in the
district. Throughout London there was considerable
prevalence of the disease during the summer months and
it did not disappear during the winter. Early in the year
a letter was received from the clerk to the Metropolitan
Asylums Board forwarding an extract from a letter
of the Medical Superintendent of the Smallpox Ships, from
which it appeared that nearly all the cases admitted to the
ships were of persons belonging to the vagrant class, that
the disease was imported by tramps from the provinces,
and had not at that time taken any hold on the settled
population of London. This was under the consideration
of the Sanitary Committee in March, and it was decided
that more frequent visits should be made to the common
lodging houses in the district with the view of inquiring
whether any illness occurred among the lodgers. No
cases of smallpox were heard of in this way however.
The Clerk also wrote to the Clerk of the Guardians to
inquire what was done in regard to the medical inspection of
inmates of the casual wards. In reply a copy of a report
of the Medical officer of the Workhouse was sent stating
that the Superintendent had strict instructions to send for
him if any of the occupants appeared ill, even though they
did not complain, and that he did not think that regular
inspection was advisable. The facts as to the exclusive
incidence of smallpox on the vagrant class did not told
good throughout the year, however, as the resident popu
lation also became affected. Some particulars of the cases
that occurred in this district are given in the local
reports.
Every effort has been made by prompt removal to
hospital, by thorough disinfection, and the urging of
re-vaccination on persons who have been exposed to infection,
to limit the spread of this disease.