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given as to the vaccination and revaccination of those who had been in contact with
the patient. The house was kept under observation and visited at frequent intervals
until the danger of the occurrence of further cases was past. The patient was probably
infected shortly before he left Limehouse; he succumbed to the disease. The
frequency with which smallpox occurs amongst the inmates of common lodging houses,
shelters and casual wards has often been commented upon and the subject received
the attention of the recent Royal Commission on Vaccination.
There was considerably less smallpox in London, during 1896. The cases
notified were most numerous during the first half of the year. There were 9 deaths
as compared with 55 in 1895, 89 in 1894, 186 in 1893, 29 in 1892, 8 in 1891 and 3 in
1890.
Outbreaks occurred in different parts of the country, notably a very severe one in
the City of Gloucester. For several years past vaccination had been much neglected;
amongst a population of a little over 40,000 there were, during the first six months of
the year, upwards of two thousand cases with over four hundred deaths.
Gloucester is stated now to be a well vaccinated city.
In connection with the subject of smallpox I would direct attention to the
REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON VACCINATION.
In August the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the subject of vaccination
submitted their final report, which was made public. The inquiry was a prolonged
one, it having been thought desirable to give full scope to the evidence, both of those
who opposed and those who favoured the practice of vaccination, and much time was
expended in the investigation of certain local epidemics and in the examination of
cases of injury alleged to be due to vaccination.
Five questions came before the Commissioners to be answered, they were to
inquire and report as to—
(1) The effect of vaccination in reducing the prevalence of, and mortality
from smallpox.
(2) What means, other than vaccination can be used for diminishing the
prevalence of smallpox; and how far such means could be relied on in
place of vaccination.
(3) The objections made to vaccination on the ground of injurious effects
alleged to result therefrom; and the nature and extent of any injurious
effects which do, in fact, so result.
(4) Whether any, and, if so, what means should be adopted for preventing
or lessening the ill effects, if any, resulting from vaccination; and
whether, and, if so, by what means, vaccination with animal vaccine
should be further facilitated as part of public vaccination.