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13
SMALL-POX.
During the year 1883, 36 cases only of sickness from Small-pox were
recorded in the Parish, as against 142 and 797 in 1882 and 1881 respectively.
19 of the 36 cases were removed to the Hospitals of the Metropolitan
Asylum Board, 3 were admitted upon payment to the Highgate Hospital, and
14 were treated at their own homes.
Of the 14 cases that remained in the Parish, 1 died in the Highgate
Hospital, that death being included in the Mortality Table attached hereto.
Of the 19 cases removed to the Hospitals of the Asylum Board, 2 died.
16 of these 36 cases were recorded during the last six weeks of the year,
leaving only 20 as having occurred during the previous 46 weeks.
I regret, however, to state that this disease, which had thus remained in
such comparative quietude during 1883, has, since February of the present
year (1884), again become seriously epidemic, so much so, in fact, that even
should there be a temporary abatement during the summer months, there is
every indication that at the close of the year we shall be brought face to face
with a still severer outbreak of this dreaded disease.
The peaceful lull, as I anticipated in my last report, has already been
followed by a storm, which I fear will grow in intensity for many months
to come.
I am sorry that in the prospect of such a probable emergency, I am no
longer able to congratulate the Vestry on possessing Camp Hospital Premises,
which have (unfortunately, in my opinion) been entirely abandoned.
In anticipation of the tenancy terminating, the Vestry, in the early part
of the present year, gave instructions for the sale by tender of the tents,
furniture, bedding, &c., to Small-pox Hospital Authorities, the amount
realised being £380 2s. 6d. The beds and clothing, however, as articles most
likely to retain infection, were not sold, but were destroyed by fire upon the
premises.