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35
The epidemic or outbreak of Smallpox, which began in London
in August, 1901, and extended to Lambeth Borough, accounts
for the increase in the number of notifications of Smallpox—328
above the average for 10 years (Parish of Lambeth).
Full particulars of the Smallpox cases are to be found on pages
46-78. There were 287 infected houses, and of these 13.2
per cent. showed defective drains, on testing with the chemical
test.
The Enteric Fever (or Typhoid) notifications received were
12.3 per cent. above the average for 10 years (Parish of Lambeth),
and represent 206 infected houses, of which 15.05 per
cent. of the drains were shewn, on testing, to be defective.
No case of plague, or suspected plague, has been notified during
1902, within the Borough.
In the case of each of the 2,430 infected houses, an inspection
was made, and the drains and the sanitary fittings tested with
chemicals, with the following results as tabulated:—
(a). 292 (i.e., 12.02 per cent.) were found to have defective
drains.
(b). 909 (i.e., 37.4 per cent.) were found to have defective
traps, fittings, or appliances.
(c). 1,229 (i.e., 50.6 per cent.) gave no results with the
tests.
It will be noted that only 12.02 per cent of the total infected
houses showed, with the test, defective drains, no results being
obtained from the tests in the other cases, and 67.1 per cent defective
traps, fittings and appliances.
Drains and sanitary fittings are tested, as a routine, in all infected
houses, though it does not follow that, when defects are
found, such defects are the causes of the diseases under investigation.
They may indirectly be so.
The test used is the chemical test (Kingzett's), and when a result
is obtained, the drain (tested) is defective but when no result
is obtained, it would be unsafe to state that, therefore, the drain
(tested) was sound. A negative result proves nothing with the
chemical (or smoke) test. The hydraulic (water) and pneumatic
c 2