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Dr. Fletcher was of course aware that chicken pox had been made
a notifiable disease in Bethnal Green since October, 1901, and he
was supplied with statistics of the cases reported. He next enquired
as to the provision of a shelter, and was informed that after many refusals,
premises had been secured and furnished, and the chief disinfector
and his wife placed in charge.
The action of Mr. Foot, in enlarging and strengthening the staff
of disinfectors, &c., was described, and their methods of working
were detailed. The type of disinfecting apparatus in use was next
brought under review. Here Dr. Fletcher recommended certain improvements,
and advised that the machine should be modernized by
the addition of a vacuum apparatus for rapidly drying articles after
disinfection; he further advised that a self-recording steam gauge
should be fixed in order to ensure the maintenance of a proper temperature
during the operation of disinfection. Dr. Fletcher also
advised the installation of a laundry in connection with the disinfecting
station.
His next suggestion was that an arrangement should be made with
the medical practitioners in the district whereby, on payment of an
additional fee, an extra copy of the notification certificate should be
given, one of these to be left with the patient, as required by the
regulations of the Metropolitan Asylums' Board, and the other to be
immediately forwarded to the Town Hall by special messenger. Dr.
Fletcher was of opinion that much valuable time would be saved by
the adoption of this plan. The Doctor is evidently a man of wide
experience, he is a staunch advocate of the protective power of
vaccination, as every sensible man must be ; he enquired how many
members of the sanitary staff had undergone re-vaccination, and
expressed a strong opinion to the effect that those who had not done
so, should be given the option of either being re-vaccinated or of
taking their discharge. On the whole, he expressed himself as
thoroughly satisfied with the action of the Council and its Officers.
A report of the interview was laid before the Public Health Committee,
and it was decided to pay an additional fee of 2s. 6d. over and
above the legal notification fee, for copy certificates; also a fee of is.