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38
SMALLPOX.
During 1897, 2 cases of Smallpox were notified, but no
deaths registered. The following are the particulars :—
1. Stephen B., aged 20 years, vaccinated in infancy, of
54, Victoria Road, Norwood, was taken ill on January
30th (the spots appearing on February 1st), notified on
February 2nd, and removed to Hospital on the following
day. The source of the infection could not be
traced, it being probable, however, that the patient,
who was a medical student at St. Thomas's Hospital,
came into contact with the disease in the course of his
work. The usual precautions were taken in regard
to disinfection and cleansing of the premises, and the
other inmates of the house were re-vaccinated, and no
other case occurred.
2. Stanley L., aged 14½ years, vaccinated in infancy, and
re-vaccinated in 1893, of 42, Leigham Vale, Streatham,
was taken ill on February 7th (the spots appearing on
the following day). There being some doubt about the
case, the patient was not removed to the Hospital, but
treated at home, being notified to the Vestry on Feb.
10th. Two other inmates of the house had had spots
a few weeks previously, but their illnesses were not
serious, and consequently no notice was taken of
them. It is probable that the disease in these cases
was chicken-pox (varicella), but the usual precautions
were taken, the rest of the inmates having been previously
re-vaccinated. No other case occurred.
Two other cases were notified as Smallpox during the
year, but these patients, on examination, were found not
to be suffering from this disease, and the certificates were,
accordingly, withdrawn by the Medical Attendants. The
patients were Eliza M., 14 years of age, of 54, Paradise
Street, Lambeth Walk (notified June 24th), and Mary B.,
4 months old, of 85, Priory Grove, Larkhall Lane (notified
July 16th).
In London 105 cases of Smallpox were notified and 16
deaths registered, giving an uncorrected case mortality
of 15.2 per cent.