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9
The gradual decline which had taken place in the epidemic during
August, September, and October 1877, did not fulfil its hopeful
promises, for in November the lull unhappily came to an end.
During December and the two following months the number of cases
rose rapidly, until in March, April and May of the present year
the scourge had reached in respect of numbers a height which it
did not attain during any other period of its course of more than
two years.
The disease was during this period much less concentrated as
regards locality than at its commencement. The area of its
influence being largely extended, the cases were more sparsely
spread, so that its virulence and intensity were decidedly less
noticeable during this second period of the epidemic. The removal
of a larger proportion of the patients to Hospitals (for it will be
observed that out of the 653 cases 414 were so removed), would also
tend to produce this effect, as well as to prevent the spread of the
infection.
Upwards of 1,200 rooms or passages were thoroughly disinfected
consequent upon these further cases. The sum of £50 9s. 6d.
was paid by the Vestry for carrying out work where the owners failed
to comply with the usual notices.
The total amount thus expended during the entire period of the
epidemic was £124 15s. 7d., the whole of which sum has been repaid
to the Vestry by the owners of the property.
Having given in my first report particulars relating to the
destruction, to the cost of replacement, and to the purification of
infected beds and bedding, it is desirable to add here the
following summaries in respect to this latter period of the small-pox
visitation:—
Summary of Infected Beds and Bedding destroyed
(chiefly on account of Small-Pox) between November
1877, and September 1878, and replaced for poor
persons by new, at a cost to the Vestry of £95 00
82 Beds 6 Blankets
47 Mattrasses 4 Sheets
36 Bolsters 6 Rugs
68 Pillows 7 Articles of Clothing, &c.
256 Total.