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44
SMALLPOX.
No case of Smallpox has been registered during the
year in Lambeth, though one or two cases of a doubtful
nature were reported to the Medical Officer of Health, but
proved afterwards to be chicken-pox. No death from
Smallpox has been registered in Lambeth during the year.
In London 35 cases of Smallpox were notified, and 1
death was registered, giving an uncorrected case mortality
of 29 per cent.
Tables Q and R give the Vaccination Statistics for the
year 1897, and the first half of 1898—those for the second
half of 1898 not being ready in time for this Report. It
will be noticed that during 1897, 253 per cent. of the
children born are unaccounted for as regards vaccination,
and 60.6 per cent. were successfully vaccinated; whilst
during the first half of 1898, 33 9 per cent. are unaccounted
for, and only 48 04 per cent. have been successfully
vaccinated. The figures for 1898 (first half of the year)
are ominous, and future ones will probably prove more so
when the "conscientious objectors" have made their
influence statistically more felt!!! This serious experiment,
which the Government has decided to try, may have far
reaching results, and all Health Authorities are much concerned
at what may happen should Smallpox, unfortunately,
become epidemic amongst an unvaccinated child population,
and should the isolation means of stamping out the
disease break down from any cause. So long as an
Authority has the necessary machinery ready, and in
working order, for (1) the notification of all cases of smallpox;
(2) the immediate isolation of cases in hospital; (3)
the disinfection of houses, bedding, etc.; and (4) the quarantining
of suspected persons, all will go well; but it will go
hard with an Authority not so prepared !