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I subsequently visited all those persons residing in Hackney who
had been exposed to infection, and kept them under observation;
those residing in other districts were kept under observation by the
Medical Officers of Health of their respective districts, whom I had
informed of the circumstances, and of their addresses. Later, others
were found to be suffering from the disease, and in the early stages
were removed to hospital. Infected rooms, clothing, bedding, &c.,
were disinfected, and advantage was taken to advise all persons who
had been exposed to infection to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated. All
efforts to trace the source of infection beyond the boy Arthur Wi.
were fruitless.
The manner in which Charles L. became infected deserves some
record. It appears that F. Wi, of 52, Churchill Road, was employed
at a boot factory in leather cutting. During the early days of his
illness, and while the eruption was appearing, it appears he continued
at work. On leaving work, all his work tools were taken to his home,
except a leaden weight and cutting knife, which were put on one side
until his return. The tools taken home and the workroom were
disinfected, and the board on which he cut the leather was planed,
and the shavings destroyed. During the absence of P. Wi., another
workman, Charles L., was taken on as cutter, who took F. Wi's place
at the bench, using the same board as he used. F. Wi. returned to
work on the 7th February, taking his place at the bench next to
Charles L. On re-commencing work, he took out the leaden weight
and knife which had been put aside, and not used by anyone during
his illness, and used them at his work. Charles L. at the same time
participating in the use of these tools. About a fortnight after F. Wi.
returned to work, Charles L. fell ill with small-pox, the eruption
which was modified, appearing on the 1st of March. Unfortunately
this was diagnosed by the patient's medical attendant as chicken-pox,
the result being that the patient's wife was attacked with a more
severe form of the disease. They were both removed to hospital, and
made a good recovery in due course.
The interesting feature about Charles L's illness, is that he almost
certainly contracted the disease from F. Wi., and through the medium