View report page

Isolation.—Every case of Small-pox notified in Battersea
was at once removed to hospital, except four patients, who died
before they could be removed. The bodies of these patients
were removed to the infectious chamber in the public mortuary
and promptly buried, the strictest precautions against infection
being observed. Mention should be made of the admirable
ambulance arrangements of the Metropolitan Asylums Board.
There was no difficulty in securing the speedy removal of a
patient at any hour of the day or night. The ambulance
service was worked in the most efficient manner, and reflects
great credit on the Board and its officers. Credit is also due
to Dr. Wanklyn, the diagnostician at the South Wharf Station,
whose work throughout the whole outbreak was of the highest
excellence.
Disinfection. —After every case the house was disinfected
throughout. All bedding, &c., in the rooms which had actually
been occupied by the patient was removed and disinfected by
steam. These rooms were then fumigated with either sulphur
dioxide gas or formic aldehyde, and afterwards stripped of
paper and washed with a solution of chloride of lime. The
staircases and passages were washed down with the same
solution, or sprayed with a solution of formalin. The
remaining rooms were fumigated, but not stripped. The
disinfecting work was in every instance well done, and no
case occurred owing to inefficient disinfection.
Quarantine. —In the early part of the outbreak, when the
disease had only attacked ten houses, the method of quarantine
was adopted. The inmates of these houses were induced to
remain in seclusion indoors for fourteen days after the removal
of the patient to hospital, compensation being given to the
wage-earners for loss of time. It was found, however, that
whatever advantages this method may have in isolated
districts in the early stage of an outbreak, it is of very doubtful
value when employed in a Metropolitan district. The disease
was repeatedly imported, and in December quarantine was
discontinued. The total expense incurred in this connection
was 9s. 8d., and the Local Government Board, upon
application, sanctioned this expenditure under the Local
Authorities Expenses Act (1887).