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65
The inspectors, the disinfecting men, and the sanitary clerks have
worked splendidly, and to them is due the credit of having
stamped out the Smallpox epidemic in Lambeth Borough, which,
though the second largest Metropolitan, District, will be found to
have suffered pro rata less than any other.
My thanks are due to (1) the Metropolitan Asylums Board,
whose officers have promptly removed and treated all Lambeth
Smallpox patients notified to them; (2) the Lambeth Guardians,
who have carried out my suggestions as to isolation or quarantine
wards being provided, and have assisted me in every other possible
way through their officials—Dr. Quarry (and his staff), in connec.
tion with the Workhouse, and the Vaccination Officers, Messrs.
Brooks and Warren, who have been indefatigable in hunting up
" contacts " and others for vaccination and re.vaccination; (3) the
Medical Practitioners practising thoughout Lambeth Borough,
who have promptly notified to the Medical Officer of Health all
Smallpox and doubtful cases.
Last, but not least, the highest praise is due to the Lam.
beth Borough Council, arid more especially to the Sewers and Sani.
tary Committee, who have given me a free hand and adopted all
my suggestions in dealing with the epidemic, with the result that
the epidemic in Lambeth has been stampd out with the small
number of 404 patients out of a population of over 300,000, and
with a proportionately large saving to the ratepayers, who, had the
epidemic been allowed to progress, and not been arrested by the
stringent and energetic measures taken by the Lambeth Borough
Council.s officers, would have been put to a very serious and large
expenditure, not to mention disorganization of trade, etc.
Under such conditions, my own work as Medical Officer, though
throughout arduous and anxious, has been a pleasure.
Joseph Priestley,
Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
September, 1902.