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58
visit to the drapery establishments. Shortly after it was reported to me that a
member of the staff in each of the two establishments, engaged in the departments
visited by the patient and the contacts, was away ill, the home addresses of both
being in this Borough. On enquiry at the home address in the first case it was
ascertained that this contact had removed temporarily to Reading; communication
by telephone was at once made with the Medical Officer of Health of Reading so
thai the contact could be visited. In the second case also it was ascertained that
the contact had left London for a day or two leaving no address. Both contacts
returned to their addresses in this Borough and were kept under observation for
the necessary period, after which they returned to work.
In May information was received respecting a case of smallpox which occurred
in London where the patient was stated to have taken part in a theatrical
performance. It was ascertained that two seats had been reserved for a resident in
this Borough and it was stated that this Holborn resident had probably been on the
stage during the performance. On enquiry, however, it was ascertained that
although tickets for the seats had been obtained by the Holborn resident they had
in fact not been used.
Vaccination.

As in previous years a leaflet respecting the advantages of vaccination was sent to
the parents of all infants born in, or belonging to, the Borough.
Diphtheria.
Notifications relating to 54 cases of diphtheria occurring in residents in the
Borough were received. All but one were removed to hospital. Nine were found
not to be suffering from diphtheria, and one case, notified from a hospital staff,
was notified as a "carrier" only.