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63
LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM THE
EPIDEMIC.
1. Conditions which have favoured the extension or continuance of
the Smallpox Epidemic in Lambeth Borough.
(a). Dropping cases of Smallpox being continually intro.
duced from outside in.ected districts.
(b). Difficulties in diagnosing cases of modified Smallpox.
(c). Workmen allowed to work, by the Metropolitan Asylums
Boards. contractors, near to Smallpox hospitals (out.
side London), without previous re.vaccination; and
also workmen allowed to strip the walls of infected
rooms (in other districts) without being previously
re.vaccinated.
(d). Antipathy to, or neglect of, vaccination and re.vaccina.
tion, due to thoughtlessness, or to the promptings
of others.
2. Conditions which have tended to check the extension or con.
tinuance of the Smallpox Epidemic in Lambeth Borough.
(a). Prompt notification of Smallpox and all doubtful cases.
(b). Daily inter.communication amongst Metropolitan (and
other) Medical Officers of Health of all information
connected with Smallpox cases and "contacts," and
the daily issuing by the Metropolitan Asylums Board
or returns of patients discharged or dead, visitors
to Hospitals, etc.
(c). Strict isolation in Hospital of all cases.
(d). Careful disinfection (with fumigation and spraying), not
only of infected rooms, but also of the other rooms
and passages and staircases of infected houses, to.
gether with stripping off of wall papers of infected
rooms by the Borough Council.s own men (previously
re.vaccinated), etc.
(e). Quarantining of all persons in infected houses and dis.
tricts for 14.16 days, together with the medical in.
spection of all cases of suspicious illness amongst such
quarantines, e.g., absentees from work.places or
schools, etc.