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42
SMALLPOX.
No case of Smallpox has been notified during the year
1900 in Lambeth, though in London there were *87 cases
notified, and 4 deaths registered, giving a case-mortality
(uncorrected) of 4.6 per cent. Tables Q and R give the
vaccination statistics for the year 1899, and the first-half
of 1900—those for the second half of 1900 not being ready
in time for this report. It will be noticed that during 1899,
only 0.8 per cent. (as compared with 7.9 per cent. for
1898) of the children born is unaccounted for as regards
vaccination, and 61.8 per cent. were successfully vaccinated;
whilst during the first half of 1900, 2.9 per cent. are
unaccounted for, and 62.2 per cent. have been successfully
vaccinated, returns that are satisfactory in themselves, and
will prove more so when the whole year's statistics can be
given in the next Annual Report.
Taking the last ten years (1890—1899), the Smallpox
statistics for Lambeth Parish are highly satisfactory, only
annual averages of 1.1 deaths and 23.5 notifications, as
compared with 45 deaths and 597 notifications for London
as a whole, during the same decennium.
The preventive measures now taken in connection with
smallpox (viz., notification, isolation, disinfection, quarantining
of contacts) are such as ought to secure the rapid
stamping out of any outbreak or epidemic. Vaccination
and re-vaccination, however, still call for attention as a
certain means of preventing cases arising, and in this connection
the vaccination statistics are becoming more satisfactory—the
conscientious objectors slowly but surely disappearing.
It would appear that the new Vaccination Act
is not proving the great failure that was predicted by some
members of the Public Health service.
* Some of these cases proved not to be Smallpox.