Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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of this Parish in 187G. Three per cent. only of the mortality
from small-pox in the Metropolis was referrible to the deaths
of St. Pancras parishioners, whilst our local population forms
62/3per cent. of the whole Metropolitan population. Sixtyfive
per cent. of the total cases included in the last table died in
hospitals, and 35 per cent. in private houses; whereas, in the
Metropolis outside St. Pancras during the corresponding
period 52.7 per cent. only died in hospitals, and 47.3 per cent.
in private houses. Great merit attaches to the Poor Law
Officers for the zeal and energy with which they had pauper
cases removed into hospitals.
ISOLATION OF INFECTIOUS CASES.
Towards the close of the year the rapid spread of smallpox
in the Metropolis, and its more limited extension in St.
Pancras, induced me to advise the re-opening of our own
Temporary Hospital. Great praise is due to the Sanitary
Committee and the Vestry for the cordiality with which they
adopted my recommendation, and for the promptitude with
which the necessary steps were taken. Meantime arrangements
were entered into with the authorities of the Highgate
Small-Pox Hospital for the reception of patients on payment
of a fee by the Vestry for each case. Our own Hospital has been
a great boon to the public, and I have the pleasure of reporting
that during the present epidemic of small-pox, there has
been only one day when there was not sufficient hospital
accommodation for all sufferers needing and willing to avail
themselves of it. I, as your Chief Sanitary Officer, refer with
just pride to the efficient steps which you have taken to stay
the epidemic, and can say that the Vestry of St. Pancras has
by its action greatly raised itself thereby in the public
estimation.
I may also refer to the fact, as showing a great advance in
the completeness of our sanitary organization, that you have,
during the past year entered into an engagement for the
reception into the London Fever Hospital of patients who
are not admissible into the hospitals of the Metropolitan
Asylum Board, and who are without proper lodging and
accommodation.
In connection with the epidemic of small-pox I may mention
that the Managers of the Metropolitan Asylum District