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The particulars given in the first of the two tables as to vaccination
are such as the Inspectors were able to obtain upon enquiry, but
as a large proportion of the patients were removed prior to my visit,
I was unable to check the statements by actual observation. The
particulars as to the fatal cases in the second of the two tables are
extracted from the death certificates, and I have no doubt are
correct.
The total deaths amongst the 510 cases were 65; this gives a gross
mortality of 12.7 per cent.
Three hundred and twenty-two persons were stated to have been
vaccinated at some period of their lives, and amongst these there
were 24 deaths, a mortality of per cent.
One hundred and fifty were avowedly unvaccinated, and of these
36 died, a mortality of 24.0 per cent.
In 18 cases we were unable to obtain any information as to vaccination
or otherwise, so I have not taken them into consideration.
On this point the death certificates in four cases state that no information
as to vaccination could be obtained. Possibly complete
statistics as to each Metropolitan Borough will shortly be available,
but the Medical Officers of the Metropolitan Asylums Board are the
only persons who can make accurate statements as to vaccination.
In February we received a visit by appointment from Dr. Fletcher,
one of the Medical Inspectors of the Local Government Board, and
a conference was held at the Town Hall, at which were present the
Chairman of the Public Heath Committee (Mr. Belsham), the Town
Clerk, the Chief Inspector and myself. The object of Dr. Fletcher's
visit was to ascertain what Bethnal Green was doing towards checking
the epidemic. The Inspector first enquired as to the action of
the Poor Law Guardians. He was informed that they had issued a
broadsheet, setting forth the protective power of vaccination, and
pointing out the risks of neglect, these statements being supported
by statistics of the Metropolitan Asylums' Board; this broadsheet
had been extensively posted on the walls throughout the Borough,
together with the names and addresses of the public vaccinators.