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52
I have therefore personally undertaken, with few exceptions, the
investigation of all the cases of small-pox, to which reference
has been made. In a number of instances it has thus been
possible to trace other cases of the disease, following up case
after case, directly or indirectly connected with them. In this
way we have detected 90 cases of small-pox out of 275, before a
medical man had been called in, and have been able to isolate them
much earlier than if they had continued to remain "unrecognised,"
or unnotified until a medical man had been called in.* Moreover,
by personal investigation, the Medical Officer of Health learns many
facts in respect to the conveyance of the disease, is able promptly to
instigate and complete prevention arrangements, and is placed at once
in possession of first-hand information as to the cases comprising the
outbreak. This information includes his own observation as to the
condition and degree of vaccination, and as to isolation of contact
persons. The enquiry as to schools, laundries, workshops, milk
shops, and so forth may be readily made by the Sanitary Inspector,
and the necessary certificates at once forwarded by the Clerks in
the Department. (We kept under supervision 1,871 persons as
"contacts." In addition to these there were 161 "contacts" not
belonging to Finsbury; 503 employers were advised respecting
contact cases, and 135 other employers were advised respecting
actual cases of small-pox.)
(For other particulars respecting preventive methods, see Report
for 1901, pp. 51-56.)
I desire to express my hearty and grateful appreciation of the
work of the Metropolitan Asylums Board in this district, the
co-operation of the Board of Guardians, and the uniform assistance
of the medical profession.
During 1902 various resolutions were passed by the Borough
Council in respect to preventive methods in relation to small-pox,
°I do not suggest that this practice of the Medical Officer of Health visiting
each case would be desirable or feasible in Boroughs of large area. Even in
Finsbury it involved an immense amount of additional labour at various
hours of day and night, both Sunday and week-day. But the results have, I
submit, shown its value. In this connection I desire to record my high appreciation
of the indefatigable labours of Chief Inspector Green