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medical profession that an easterly wind tends to propagate Small Pox. I
regret, therefore, that my attention was not directed to the above assertion till
the end of September, when its verification or refutation became more
difficult. By comparing the cases reported day by day, and the deaths
recorded, with the prevalent winds, as shown by published meteorological
tables, I have tested the above statement in every way that I could devise,
and I am compelled to adopt the conclusion that a prevalent westerly wind
was not, as a rule, followed in due course by an increase of Small Pox.
Before I leave this topic I may quote a report of my own, presented
to the Sanitary Committee on September 20th last, which puts the matter
in a clear light. I said: "I have been unable to trace any connexion
"between the existence of Small Pox in Kentish Town and the Hampstead
"Hospital, or the Fleet Sewer leading therefrom. * * * The district
"was thoroughly infected with the disease long before the hospital was
"opened for the reception of Small Pox patients, and as the number of
"patients in the hospital increased, Small Pox decreased in Kentish Town
"subsequently increasing as the number of patients in the hospital
decreased." Bight up to the confines of Hampstead Parish, Kentish
Town was steeped in Small Pox, and the thoroughfare leading from the
hospital to this parish was affected before ever a Small Pox patient was
admitted into Hampstead Hospital.
The 26th section of the Sanitary Act, 1866, amended by the 2nd section
of the Sanitary Act, 1870, was found to be too cumbersome and imperfect
to secure the removal of patients into hospital, and it was enforced only in
one case. I have hopes that these sections may be amended in the Public
Health Bill, 1872, before it becomes law and the amendments made applicable
to the metropolis.
The Disinfecting Chamber erected near the Hospital has proved a great
boon to the parish.
VACCINATION AND RE-VACCINATION.
Up to Michaelmas, 1870, vaccination had been scandalously neglected in
this parish, and I can testify from personal inspection of so-called vaccinated
persons, that many persons reputed to be vaccinated had had the operation
performed in a most imperfect manner, and that no real protection, or
only the slightest degree of protection, had been conferred. Unvaccinated
children, many of whom had reached several years of age, abounded everywhere.
The Small Pox epidemic, the greater stringency of the New Vaccination
Act, and the more vigorous action of the Poor Law Officers have given a
great stimulus to vaccination, and during the year ending Michaelmas, 1871,
there were successfully vaccinated by the public vaccinators, 2537 children
under one year of age, and 1987 above one year of age ; total, 4524, as
compared with 2608 during the preceding year. During the same period
the registered number of births was 7531. I am sorry to have to state that
notwithstanding this large increase of public vaccination, your officers find
from time to time many children who are unvaccinated.
I am unable to state what proportion of persons attacked by Small Pox
had been properly vaccinated. Enquiries were duly made by the inspectors,
but I have been convinced that the statements made to them by relatives