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38
adequate arrangements for dealing with cases of Smallpox,
which might be imported from abroad, and enclosing
a copy of a memorandum on the steps requisite
to be taken in the event of an outbreak. These precautionary
measures are such as have been in force in
the Borough on the occasion of past outbreaks. The
opening words of the memorandum point out that an
outbreak of Small-pox at the present time would be
especially serious, and attention is drawn to the fact
that in the past valuable time has been lost owing to
cases of this disease having been mistaken for Chickenpox.
About this time a circular letter was received from
Lambeth Borough Council, urging Bethnal Green to join
in an appeal to the London County Council to make
Chicken-pox a compulsorily notifiable disease. The
matter was referred to the Public Health Committee,
upon whose recommendation the Council agreed to
support the Lambeth appeal. The reply of the County
Council was to the effect that it felt unable to make
the order, but agreed that the greatest vigilance should
be exercised so as to detect immediately any case of
Small-pox which might occur; it also pointed out that
arrangements are still in force by which any medical
practitioner can secure, free of charge, the advice of
a Small-pox expert in cases of doubtful diagnosis. Since
the writing of this report was commenced the County
Council has been better advised, and has now made
Chicken-pox a temporarily notifiable disease.
We received notice from schools of 320 cases of
Chicken-pox during the year; all were visited and dealt
with in the usual manner. In 56 instances it was found