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17
Many large firms are asking for the protection of their employes, and the
work is getting into arrear.
Considering the vast importance of the question in the City of London, I
am of opinion that any application for vaccination or re-vaccination should be
dealt with within twenty-four hours of its being made.
Vaccination
Order, 1898,
Article 10(2).
The Board of Guardians has power to appoint any number of Assistant
Public Vaccinators, and there is at the present time justification for such
appointment.
I have asked the Board to increase their staff, suggesting that if they were
unable to do so, the Corporation would be advised to appoint Vaccinators of
its own.
Ill this latter case the whole cost would be borne by the Public Health
Department.
In consequence of my representations the Board has decided to appoint
two additional Public Vaccinators, and to open Stations at different points
within the City. This to some extent (though only partially) will meet the
difficulty experienced in obtaining vaccination or re-vaccination for the large
number seeking it. It does not, however, obviate the delay, and therefore
danger, in the immediate re-vaccination of all contacts and persons in the
vicinity of a case of Small-pox, on account of the loss of time in communicating
with the officers. If the Public Vaccinator were an officer of the Public
Health Department he would be furnished twice daily, or as occasion required,
with a list of those requiring treatment, and would report daily as to his
work.
While the system would work well in ordinary times, it would seem to be
the only one which can be satisfactorily carried out in the case of an outbreak
of Small-pox, when time is of such supreme importance.
I have therefore to recommend: (i.) That the Board of Guardians be
requested to increase temporarily the staff of Public Vaccinators to enable the
arrears to be efficiently dealt with, and to appoint a Vaccination Station,
where applicants can attend daily, say from 9 till 12, and if the Guardians are
unable to make such additions to their staff, that your Medical Officer should
be authorised to engage medical practitioners to act in any case of emergency,
and to pay for their services at a contract rate ; and (ii.) That your
Worshipful Committee do agree with the Resolution of the Paddington
Guardians, and do represent to the Court of Common Council the advisability
of formally adopting the following Resolutions:—
(1.) That it is expedient that all powers and duties belonging to
the Guardians in connection with vaccination be transferred to the