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105
B.—Infectious Diseases.
(Tables IV. and V.)
15. There were 631 notifications of infectious disease,
compared with 790, 886, 713, and 762 in the four preceding
years ; 316, or just a half went to Hospital. For a large part
of the year the Fever Hospitals were full, so that there was
delay in getting patients away. This means that fewer go to
Hospital, for in many cases, owing partly to the Arsenal
regulations, and partly to other causes, if patients cannot go
at the outset, they do not go at all.
The new Brook Fever Hospital in Shooter's Hill Eoad was
opened in August; since then it has been easier to get patients
away ; for although the available beds were quickly filled up,
the nearness of the hospital facilitated communication, and
lessened the objection of parents to the removal.
Towards the close of the year there was a considerable
diminution of both Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria, and in
January and February of this year (1897) there has been less
infectious disease notified than for five years back.
Small Pox.
16. Only three cases of Small Pox occurred. One wont to
Hospital. All recovered.
During the year the report of the Royal Commission on
vaccination appeared. The outcome of the report is a strong
vindication of vaccination as the chief means of preventing
Small Pox, and an urgent recommendation of re-vacciuation
as necessary for permanent defence against infection; but in
order to make vaccination more popular and prevent the making
of anti-vaccination martyrs, it is advised that compulsory
measures should be relaxed in cases of conscientious objection