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31
SMALL. POX.
During the year 1902, 518 cases of Small-Pox were notified. The
deaths from the same disease numbered 78.
The percentage of deaths to the total cases notified was 15.0.
The annual mortality per 1,000 living was .37.
Deaths from Small-Pox during the last ten years:—
1893 13 1898 —
1894 2 1899 —
1895 4 1900 —
1896 1 1901 14
1897 1 1902 78
Of the 518 cases notified all, with the exception of five, of which four
were in a dying state when notified, were removed at once to hospital.
The Small-pox epidemic of 1901-2 in relation to this Borough commenced
on August 21st, 1901, and terminated on July 11th, 1902. A full
report of the cases which occurred in Southwark, together with the
various measures taken to combat the disease will be found bound up
with my annual report to the council for 1901. Since that report was
printed I have been able to ascertain the amount of vaccination that was
performed during the active period of the epidemic (excluding primary
vaccinations of infants). The period taken is from October 1st, 1901, to
June 30th, 1902.
(1) By Public Vaccinators—
Primary vaccinations of one year and upwards 1,873
Re-vaccinations 12,230
(2) By Private Practitioners—
Primary vaccinations of one year and upwards 2,500
Be-vaccinations 15,000
(3) By the Medical Officer of Health—
Primary vaccinations of one year and upwards 450
Be-vaccinations 1,819
Total number of primary vaccinations 4,823
Total number of re-vaccinations 29,049
It is only fair to state my appreciation of the splendid work that was
done by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and its experienced officers
during this epidemic. The extreme care that was shown at the South
Wharf with the cases was beyond all praise, and was a very active agent
in hindering the spread of the disease,