View report page

63
The Diagnosis of Small Pox is often attended with the
greatest difficulty, even to Medical Practitioners having had
special experience in the disease, and it is satisfactory to note
that the diagnosis in the 84 cases herein detailed was confirmed
by the Hospital authorities.
There were, however, three cases sent to Hospital which
were returned as not suffering from Small Pox.
The first was that of a tramp who was taken to Brockley
Police Station. He was seen by a doctor, and immediately
removed to Hospital. The special circumstances connected
with the man's movements, the suspicious character of the rash
and the difficulty of detaining the man for confirmation of the
diagnosis justified, no doubt, the action taken.
The second case was that of a lad who showed marked
premonitary symptoms. His surroundings were such that in
the interests of the business carried on by the family he was
removed with the consent of his parents as a suspicious case.
The third case was removed under similar circumstances
to the second.
Neither of these persons suffered any harm from their
temporary removal.
The following points are worthy of note :—The errors of
diagnosis were most trivial; all cases were removed to Hospital,
although not without difficulty in some instances; where the
disease was recognised in its early stages, and the re-vaccination
of contacts carried out, second cases in the house were rare.
The effect of delayed diagnosis, due to the delay in
seeking medical advice, was sometimes unfortunate, and necessitated
the most careful and constant watchfulness over
contacts. This is well illustrated in the cases at 88, Glenfarg
Road, although the serious consequences only affected the