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It will be observed that smallpox cases were notified in London in each week of the year, that
in the week ending February 2nd the number of cases, which in previous weeks had not exceeded 11,
in that week amounted to 22. As summer approached the number of cases notified in each week was
fewer, but in the last week of June and in the months of July, August and September the disease
was much more prevalent, again diminishing in the last three months of the year.
The following table shows the distribution of smallpox among the several sanitary districts
of London in successive periods of four weeks. In the first three of these periods smallpox fell most
heavily on Marylebone, but numerous other districts also suffered in less degree. In the four weeks
ending July 13th there was marked increase in the prevalence of the disease, 26 districts being
involved. In the following four weeks the number of cases greatly increased, as many as 262 cases
being notified in 34 districts. The eastern districts of London were those specially affected, Whitechapel
suffering more than any other, the disease being mainly distributed by persons of the vagrant
class, and spreading from Whitechapel to neighbouring areas.