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2 temporary officers (accustomed to the work) for the purpose.
These temporary officers were re-vaccinated by the Medical Offi-
cer previous to their beginning work, and they have, during the
epidemic, stripped 322 infected rooms (the other 21 having been
previously done by the disinfecting men) at an inclusive charge
of 6s. per room stripped (inclusive of collecting the paper in bags,
and having it removed to, and burnt at, the Wharf). Neither
of the men caught Smallpox, though there have been many instances
throughout London of strippers, unprotected by re-vaccination,
having caught the disease (3 cases having occurred in Lambeth
amongst strippers employed on infected houses in outside
Boroughs).
The disinfecting staff has worked well, day and night, and much
praise is due to one and all for the prompt and thorough way in
which they have carried out their duties. In one or two instances
disinfection has been carried out after midnight, and often late
at night, necessitating one or more members of the staff being on
duty continuously, as the extra pressure of work due to the Smallpox
outbreak was not allowed to interfere with the routine work
of disinfecting after the notifiable diseases, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria,
Chickenpox, etc.; or with the special work, which is being
carried out in Lambeth, in connection with Tuberculosis, Measles,
Cancer, etc. It is subject for congratulation that the epidemic
was not allowed to interfere with the routine work of the Disinfecting
Department.
The Borough Council, on May 1st, 1902, voted a sum of ₤40 to
be distributed amongst the disinfecting staff for extra work done
during the first half of the epidemic, and doubtless the Council will
see fit to again vote some further sum for extra work done during
the second half of the epidemic. Such extra remuneration is well
deserved by the disinfecting staff.
4. Quarantining.
Without belittling in any way the three preventive measures,
which have already been dealt with, it cannot be too much empha-
sised how very important it is to carefully quarantine all "suspects"
or "contacts/." Smallpox is a disease that takes 12-14 days to in-
cubate,and it follows that, when Smallpox breaks out, all persons
who have been in contact with a Smallpox patient or patients must
be watched for 12-14 days (preferably 16 days) from the time
that such patient or patients have been removed to Hospital, and
the necessary disinfection carried out. Any "contact" who is not
efficiently protected by previous recent vaccination, may sicken
with the disease, and the necessity, therefore, of following up such
a person must be apparent to all. On the care with which this