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59
The inmates were induced to go to the Council's Shelter in order
to be bathed, and have their clothes disinfected whilst the rooms
and in some cases the whole of the premises, were being disinfected,
stripped of their paper, and lime-whitened.
In some instances contacts were maintained in the Councils
Shelter for many days, until the period of incubation had passed.
The various Medical Officers of Health were notified respecting
contacts if they resided or worked outside the Borough.
The Medical Officer of Health for Richmond, Surrey, notified
that a male, aged 28 years, had arrived at the Union House,
Richmond, on the 29th January, and was found to be suffering
from Small-pox. The patient stated he was in the Casual Ward
of the Poplar Union on the previous evening.
Mr. Lough, Clerk to the Guardians, was communicated with,
and a list of the men who slept in the Casual Ward and in the
cubicle occupied by the patient was furnished to the Public
Health Department, and communications were sent to the various
Clerks to the Guardians of the Casual Wards to which the contacts
stated they were journeying, but several said they were going
to the Docks.
Although communications were forwarded to the various Clerks
to the Guardians, there was very little use in doing so, as it
is a well-known fact that casuals do not always go to the destination
which they state.
As a matter of fact, the patient stated he was going to Reading,
but went to Richmond, gave his age as 40 years at Poplar, and
28 years at Richmond.
From Gough Street, male, aged 20 years, was removed on the
31st January, kept under observation at the South Wharf, Rotherhithe
until the 5th February, and then returned home as not being
a case,