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ment as other Boroughs acted on the same lines, and what might
have proved a serious hitch, not only in Lambeth Borough but
throughout the Metropolis, was thereby avoided.
Vaccination states of School Board Children.
A letter was also received in October, 1901, from the Clerk of
the London School Board, enclosing copy of the following resolution,
dealing with the examination of School Board children as
to their vaccination states —a resolution which was passed by the
Board on September 23rd, 1901 : —
"That facilities be given to the Public Vaccination Officers of
the Metropolis, on the application of the Proper Local Authority
(i.e., Borough Council) to enter the schools in infected areas for
the purpose of examining the arms of the children with a view to
advising the parents to allow their children to be vaccinated; providing
that the School Board issues a circular to the parents of
the children asking if they have any objection to this examination,
and, in case of such objection in any particular case, that such
examination shall not take place, and that the Local Government
Board and the Public Vaccination Officers be informed accordingly.''
Fortunately, no' use had to be made in Lambeth of the School
Board's offer, as the Smallpox did not invade any school or class.
All children from infected houses, courts, etc., were rigorously
excluded from school during the quarantine periods. As a point
of interest, and as showing what a Sanitary Authority has to contend
with, it may be mentioned that an anti-vaccination circular
was distributed broadcast throughout principally the Inner Districts
of Lambeth Borough, advising parents not to allow their
children to be inspected by the Public Vaccinators, nor to be
"poisoned with filth taken from animals, which the Doctors call
Vaccine, the evil effects of which they do not themselves understand,
but to abolish the filthy practice (of vaccination) altogether."
The Local Government Board and the Smallpox Epidemic
in London.
At the commencement of the Metropolitan Smallpox epidemic,
the Local Government Board wrote to the Lambeth Borough
Council (and to the other Sanitary Authorities throughout London)
drawing attention to the increase of Smallpox throughout the
Metropolis, and suggesting energetic measures in the form of
isolation of all cases, vaccination of all persons who have been
exposed to infection, disinfection of premises, etc. Copies of the
Board's memorandum dealing with steps specially requisite to be
taken in places where Smallpox is prevalent were enclosed for
distribution amongst the Sanitary Inspectors. Previous to the