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6
Small Pox.
Of all the diseases of the zymotic class, Small Pox is by far
the most loathsome: it is the one disease that the Public as
a body dread, not only for its loathsomeness, but on account
of the disfigurement to the person which years ago was so
prevalent; this rarely occurs now-a-days owing in a great
measure to vaccination and other prophylactic means that have
been adopted in the scientific treatment of the disease, and
also to improved sanitation.
The disease when it becomes epidemic in a city like London,
is very difficult to stamp out, and were it not that isolation
and proper treatment have been adopted during later years, the
disease would have had a more serious effect on the mortality
than it has had. The fact that there was an epidemic of Small
Pox in London during the past year cannot be disguised. This
epidemic began to manifest itself on the south side of the
Thames in July, and rapidly spread to other parts of the Metropolis,
In the week ending July 6th there were thirty-five
cases, the weeks ending July 14th thirty-three cases, July 21st
nineteen cases, July 28th one hundred and six cases, Aug. 4th
fifty-one cases, and so it went on until the commencement of
September, when the disease showed marked signs of abatement.
Altogether nine hundred and seventy-nine cases occurred
in London during the year.
The disease on the whole was not of a malignant type ; in
fact it was of a very mild character, and the mortality was
extremely low, only fifty-five fatal cases occurring, the percentage
of deaths being 17.8.
It is only just to the Asylums Board Authorities to remark
that they proved themselves equal to the occasion and spared
neither pains nor money in the prompt removal of the cases
when called upon by the Local Authorities, and the public are
indebted to them for their skilful and humane treatment in
their isolation hospitals. I have had many opportunities of
seeing patients who have re-covered, and they have without
exception expressed their gratitude for the treatment they
received.