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beneficial or not, instructions were given for it to be carried
out.
As one might expect from the mildness of the winter,
the deaths from bronchitis were considerably below those even
of the previous year; the difference was 113, and occurred
almost entirely in the inmates, either old or quite young, of
the infirmary, etc.
The amount of smallpox within the Borough in 1903
was not of great account. It consisted of an imported case,
which was obviously contracted on board a transport from the
east; of a small outbreak in connection with the Remand
Home at Camberwell Green; a series of cases in Dragon
Road, and two other isolated cases. The last occurrence taking
place in the Borough deserves especial mention because of the
fact that the patient objected to be removed, and as the house
was not situated in an overcrowded part there was no justification
in asking for powers of compulsory removal. The
amount of isolation between the different members of the
household was naturally inefficient, although quarantine was
observed as regards the neighbours. Thanks, however, to
their being re-vaccinated at a recent date, no one contracted
the disease—except the attendant, who was only
re-vaccinated eight days before the appearance of the rash.
Several cases of smallpox Occurred in connection with
the Remand Home of the Metropolitan Asylums Board at
Camberwell Green, to which young people who have been
charged at the various police courts are drafted until arrangements
can be made for their subsequent discharge to the
various industrial schools, etc.
In May last we received a letter from the Local
Government Board with a complaint as to my action in the
matter made by a Mr. Robertson, together with a letter from
the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and asking for my report on
the subject. I accordingly reported to the Public Health
Committee in the following terms: —
Public Health Department, Town Hall.
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
Gentlemen, —In reference to the letters and complaints which
have been sent to me relating to the Remand Home at Camberwell Green
I have to report as follows: —
The notification of smallpox was received on the afternoon of
April 14th, and within an hour of the removal of the patient the premises