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97
Non-Resident Cases.
During the year, no less than 55 cases of Smallpox were removed
from the Out Patients' Department of Poplar Hospital. 52 patients
resided in West Ham, and 3 in Stepney, and the majority of them were
seen by the Medical Officer of Health or an Assistant.
Slight "missed" or concealed cases, and it is almost impossible to
say when a case has been concealed, have again been responsible for
several little groups of cases. For example:—
In March, a "missed" case attending school resulted in 11
cases.
In July, a "missed" case accounted for 8 cases in one house.
In December, a "missed" case caused quite a large group of
cases affecting several families.
ACTION TAKEN.
(a) Each case was removed to hospital at once. The home contacts
were removed to the Council's Shelter, where they were disinfected,
examined, offered vaccination or re-vaccination, and returned after the
house had been disinfected, in accordance with the suggestions contained
in Memo. 71a (Med.) of the Ministry of Health, dated November, 1922.
In May, 1929, circular letters re Smallpox were sent to Barbers and
Hairdressers, Rag and Bone Dealers, Laundries and Receiving Offices,
Pawnbrokers and Undertakers.
137 houses have been disinfected (including some more than once).
912 persons removed and disinfected.
7,187 articles, including beds, bedding and clothing, removed and
disinfected.
In connection with the conveyance of contacts to the Shelter, it
might be mentioned here that the Morris vans used for removing infected
bedding, etc., were adapted for transporting the contacts.