London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Islington 1902

Final report of the Medical Officer of Health on the outbreak of small-pox

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The meaning of these figures is so plain, teaching, as they do, so strong a lesson
as to the value of vaccination as a safeguard against Small Pox resulting fatally, that I will
not insult your common sense by commenting on them.
Ages of the Attacked.—Among all the cases 46 were under ten years of age, of whom
17, or 37.0 per cent. died; 54 were between 10 and 20 years of age, of whom 11, or 20.4 per
cent. died ; and 217 of whom 33 or 15.2 per cent. died, were above the latter age.
Ages of the vaccinated.—10 were under ten years old, and of these none died. 38 were
between ten and twenty years old, of whom 3, or 7.89 per cent. died; andwin 188 were above
the latter age, and of these 26, or 13.83 per cent. died.
Ages of the unvaccinated.—36 were under ten years old and of them 17, or 47.22 per cent.
died; 15 were between ten and twenty years old, of whom 8, or 53.33 per cent. die.; and 14
were over the la..tter age, and of these 5, or 35.71 per cent. died.
Ages of those whose state as to vaccination was unknown.—No cases occurred among persons
under ten years old. One was between ten and twenty years old, and he did not die;
and 15 were over the latter age, of whom 2, or 13.33 per cent. died.
It will be noticed that, whereas no child under ten years old, who had been vaccinated,
died, yet 17 out of 36 children at the same age period who had not been so protected died. It
will also be recollected that the strong claim put forward on behalf of vaccination is, that
it is a great prevention of infection for seven years, and that it is almost a certain security
against death. These figures bear out these claims.
Vaccinations.—I have been unable to ascertain with any degree of accuracy, the actual
number of persons who were vaccinated during the epidemic, but undoubtedly they were very
numerous. I have, however, obtained a statement as to the fees paid to the Public Vaccinators,
and Vaccination Officers during a period of seven years, which throws considerable light on
the question.
COST OF THE EPIDEMIC.
The cost to the Borough Council was ,£761 16s. 3d., in addition to which there were certain
charges which had not been kept separate from the usual departmental accounts, and which
included the following items: additional disinfectants for distribution, chemicals and materials
used in disinfecting rooms,etc., expenses for up-keep of Shelter House and disinfecting
station, travelling expenses of Medical Officer of Health and Inspectors, the cost of removing
suspects to Shelter House and postage.

The Borough Treasurer has kindly prepared the following statement:

COST OF SMALL-POX OUTBREAK.£s,d.£s.d.
Salaries
Salaries— Sanitary Inspectors, for extra services9977
Clerks, for extra services7073
Engineer at Disinfecting Station, for extra services500
Matron at Shelter House, for extra services2100177410
Wages
Disinfectors, additional—269196
Van Drivers and Assistants, additional1281710398174
Compensation
Lost of employement2400
Wedding destroyed1436
Pastries destroyed492
Care of infant11004428
Contacts Expenses for sheltering at Shelter House4962
Miscellaneous—2637
Fodder, &c., lor additional hired horse1624
Printing and stationery28311
Pamphlets for distribution9102
Distribution of pamphlets, bills, &c.738
Notice boards1113
Set of instruments for vaccination150
Miscellaneous petty cash items254
9235
£761163

20th October, 1902. ARTHUR TOWERS, Borough Treasurer.
The cost to the Metropolitan Asylums Board was £500,000 equal to a threepenny rate over London, so
that Islington's share would be £23,857.