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burnt, and the owners compensated. The Surveyor kindly
co-operated with me in having all the refuse cleared away from
the houses daily for a fortnight, the house drains and sewers in
the immediate locality were Hushed with disinfectants, and
instructions given to the inmates what to do if any other cases
occurred.
In several instances where the Medical men were in doubt as
to the diagnosis of the disease, I saw the patients and consulted
with them.
I must say that the officials of my department worked regardless
of time and trouble to prevent the disease from spreading.
Such was the pressure of work that the men had to be
kept at the disinfecting oven, whilst others were stripping the
rooms, and disinfecting, etc., all one Sunday.
As soon as the outbreak became epidemic, in accordance with
the order under which I hold my appointment, I made a special
report to the Vestry, a copy of which was sent to the Local
Government Board. The following is the text of this report:—
To the Mile End Vestry.
Special Report on the Epidemic of Small Pox
in Mile End Old Town.
July 31st, 1895.
Gentlemen,
It is my duty to inform you that during the last week an
epidemic of Small Pox has broken out in the district.
Twenty cases have been reported to me since Thursday last;
they are not confined to any part of the district, but are
scattered all over the Hamlet. Nearly all of them have been
traced as originating from the parish of Whitechapel. Every
precaution which we have power to take is being made use
of, and so far all the cases have been removed to isolation
Hospitals.
It is very desirable that vaccination and re-vaccination
should be carried out on the inmates of the houses where
the diseases have occurred. I should recommend that the
Guardians be asked to empower their District Medical