View report page

64
household. A less fortunate illustration is that of the mistaken
diagnosis at Boone's Road, which caused so much mischief to
others outside the house. (See Case 14.)
The outbreak, as a whole, compared with the population
of the district, was fortunately a limited one, only 6'8 persons
being attacked in every ten thousand of the population residing
in the Borough.
That the outbreak of Small Pox was kept well in check,
and did not assume the magnitude reached in many other
districts, is, I think, a matter for congratulation. (See Table
19). Our good fortune in this respect was due principally to
the prompt action taken by the Medical Practitioners in charge
of the patients. In those cases where the disease was fairly
distinct (50 per cent. of the actual cases) immediate removal to
Hospital followed the receipt of the certificate.
One hundred and thirteen suspected cases were, however,
less easily disposed of, the symptoms or the character of the
rash leading to considerable doubt. In these cases the medical
attendants were good enough to invite my assistance in consultation,
which resulted in my confirming their suspicions and
obtaining removal to Hospital of the cases marked thus (*) in
the detailed report. In 63 cases we were able to remove the
suspicion.
That I was able to help in the diagnosis was due to the
experience gained in a former position, that of Medical Superintendent
of the Southampton Small Pox and Fever Hospitals.
I desire to take this opportunity of acknowledging the unvarying
courtesy shown me by the Medical Practitioners who had charge
of the cases referred to.
CONTACTS.—The daily observation of contacts with
our own cases, plus residents in the Borough who had been in