View report page

135
3. Disinfection, &c.—Immediately after the removal of each
case to hospital, the rooms, which had been occupied by the patients
were disinfected, the paper was stripped from the walls, and the
walls, ceilings, floors and woodwork thoroughly cleansed, and the
ceilings limewashed. The clothing and bedding, &c., were disinfected
by high-pressure saturated steam.
Source of Infection.
There can be no question that the source of infection of Mrs. B.
was her son Arthur, whom she had nursed during his four weeks
of illness at home. The source of Mrs. L.'s infection cannot be stated
with so much certainty, but the fact that she visited 101, Chapman
Road, on the 11th and 12th February and once or twice during
the next week, where her sister occupied a room, and that on one
of these occasions she met Arthur B. in the passage of the house
and spoke to him, makes it most probable that he was also the
cause of her infection. The source of Arthur B.'s infection is not
definitely known. Enquiry as to his habits and work did not reveal
anything on this point, but it appears he made a visit to Aldgate
on the 21st and 22nd January. He was accompanied by a friend,
who has remained in good health since. I am informed they did
not enter a house nor enter into any conversation with any persons
at Aldgate. It is quite probable, considering the date of this visit,
that Arthur B. was infected on this occasion. The cases of smallpox,
the subject of this report, would thus appear to be related to the
outbreak of smallpox in Stepney.
The Result of Vaccination and Re-vaccination.
The case of Arthur B., who was nursed at home for four weeks,
suffering from smallpox, is most interesting and instructive. On
first thoughts it appears surprising, knowing the infectious nature
of the smallpox virus, that the whole of the family did not suffer
from the disease. It will be remembered that the family consisted
of Mr. and Mrs. B. and two other children, aged nine and twelve
years, as well as Arthur B. This family occupied three rooms only,