London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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St Pancras 1910

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, London, Borough of]

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47
SMALL-POX.
Cases of Small-pox occurred in some of the London Boroughs and caused
Public Health Authorities to review their means of fighting the disease in case
of epidemic.
The necessary preparations are—
1. Notification of Small-pox.—This is always in force.
2. Notification of Chicken-pox tchen Small-pox threatens to become
prevalent. — On account of a rather severe outbreak of Small pox
in the Borough of Stepney in February, the London County
Council resolved, on March 14th, 1911, to make an Order
requiring the notification of Chicken-pox to be compulsory for
a period of three months, dating from the 22nd March, 1911.
3. Expert medical referees for the diagnosis of doubtful eases.—In the
Circular covering the above-mentioned Order the London
County Council stated that " it is assumed that in doubtful
cases the certifying practitioner will confer with the Medical
Officer of Health of the Borough, and, should a further opinion
be required, the Council has arranged that the services of 1)r.
Wanklyn, the Council's Assistant Medical Officer of Health,
will be available." Dr. Wanklyn was Referee in the diagnosis
of Small-pox for the Metropolitan Asylums Board during the
epidemic of 1901-3.
4. Prompt removal of Small-pox patients to hospital.—The Small-pox
Hospitals and Ambulance Service of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board, in conjunction with the telephone service, are always
available at a moment's notice.
5. Prompt inquiry into the case and discovery of contacts.—The names
and addresses of contacts are immediately sent to the Medical
Officers of Health of the Boroughs in which they respectively
reside, and a copy of the form containing the results of inquiry
is sent to the Medical Officer of Health of the London County
Council, who circulates these forms to the Medical Officers of
Health of the Metropolitan Boroughs.
6. Prompt disinfection of the infected dwelling and contents, and
stripping and cleansing of the surfaces.
7. Immediate despatch of a copy of the notification certificate to the,
Vaccination Officer, that he may be able to carry out his
instructions promptly.
8. Treatment of Contacts.—(a) The delivery of notices to contacts
warning them of the danger, and advising them to forthwith
attend the Contact Shelter for the purpose of undergoing
personal disinfection, and of receiving a certificate to the effect
that they have been personally disinfected, and advising them to
consult the Public Vaccinator. (A) Notification to the Public
Vaccinator of contacts by sending him a copy of the form
containing the results of inquiry.