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Subject (e) requires no comment, as the Smallpox epidemic
in 1900-2 was due in part to the fact that the Metropolitan
Asylums Board allowed workmen, who had not been
previously protected by recent vaccination, to work on the Board's
hospitals extension at Dartford, near to the existing Smallpox
Hospitals, which were, at that time, occupied by Smallpox
patients. Five such unprotected workmen were traced
to Lambeth, where they sickened, having contracted Smallpox
whilst at work, and thereby caused the disease to
spread. On account of action taken by Lambeth (and other
districts), this regrettable state of affairs was, fortunately,
stopped (vide Minutes, 1902, pages 779-781, 1152).
It is difficult to understand how the Hackney Borough
Council are to reconcile their present contention in view of
these facts, and having regard to the action taken by the
majority of Metropolitan Boroughs in 1902.
Joseph Priestley.
November 13th, 1905.