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16
small-pox.

* Notification-rate per 1,000 persons, all ages. †Deaths per 100 notifications.
‡ Death-rate per 1,000 persons of all ages.
Of the four cases reported in the Borough during the year one was erroneously
diagnosed, being in fact a case of severe chicken-pox. Of the three genuine cases—one
was reported in March, and the other two in April. Although no cases were reported in
the Borough after the latter month, the disease continued to prevail in the Metropolis—495
cases being reported during the year as compared with 417 in 1903, and 7,798 in 1902.
The cases reported in the provinces were much more numerous than they need be, were
vaccination only efficiently practised. The appended figures represent the cases reported to
the Local Government Board from 255 boroughs and urban districts, having a total population
at the last census of 14,861,491 persons—excluding the Metropolis.
Quarters
Year
Metropolis
Provinces
1
1904. 1903.
181 38
1,345 2,112
2
1904. 1903.
251 162
1,519 3,210
3
1904. 1903.
42 121
1,098 1,424
4
1904. 1903.
23 96
1,283 691
Whole year.
1904. 1903.
497 117
5,245 7,437
The histories obtained with reference to the three cases reported in the Borough were
as follow:—
M. 31, butcher, employed locally; vaccinated infancy only; everyday at Smithfield Market, where
he probably came into contact with an infected person; sickened 23rd March; to hospital 28th
March.
M. 63. builder; vaccinated infancy; resided next door to previous case; sickened 7th April; to hospital
10th April; died loth Mav. No source of infection other than the previous case could be ascertained,
but patient and his family denied any contact with the other family.
M. 3, son bandmaster (retired); reported to have been vaccinated four times, but without success;
arrived home quite recently from India; sickened 15th April (?); to hospital 22nd: died 28th.
Special enquiries were made as to association with last family, one member of which is in the
musical profession. but no history if any contact could be obtained.
The usual procedure as to vaccination, disinfection, observation of contacts, &c., was
adopted. No spread of infection is known to have occurred.
Vaccination—The appended table, based on information supplied by Mr. House (the
Vaccination Officer), shows that there is a tendency, slight at present, towards an increase in
the proportion of children escaping vaccination. Neglect is likely to become more prevalent
until the next general outbreak of small-pox rouses the public from its apathy, lor
many the rousing will certainly be too late. Nothing is known of the number of persons
undergoing adult vaccination or of those re-vaccinated.

* Including "gone awav," "false addresses," apprisals to other districts, &c. † Provisional return only.