View report page

2
powerful influence exerted over the occurrence and mortality of
epidemic diseases by meteorological and other conditions over whieh
we have no control. But here has been a severe epidemic prevailing
throughout the metropolis, an epidemic the severity of which on former
occasions we have shared pretty equally with our neighbours. On this
occasion we have not shared equally with them, and there is this
difference to be placed side by side with this fact, namely, that during
the present epidemic, I have adopted the practice of supplying immediately
to each family attacked among such as came under my notice, one
of the best and cheapest disinfectant preparations for use in the sick room,
and have taken care that the discharges which are probably capable of
conveying the contagion, through the medium of the drains and sewers,
from one house to another, are rendered harmless by the use of carbolic
acid. I cannot honestly ignore this, or divest myself, in the face of it, of
the belief that, universally, scarlet fever might be rendered a far less
formidable disease were a similar custom adopted in all houses where
the disease breaks out, the sick room being constantly pervaded sensibly
with the vapour of carbolic acid or chlorine gas, and a little carbolic
acid being now and then poured into the pan of the closet. I would
desire earnestly to press the adoption of this plan upon my brethren
engaged in private as well as in public practice in the Parish.
Vestry Offices,
December lst, 1868.
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D.,
Medical OJJicer of Health.