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been recognised, for, without any precautionary measures being taken, the
patient was permitted to return to England, where he arrived via Berlin and
the Hook of Holland on the 28th November, going direct to his home in
Islington, where he was seen by a medical man, who diagnosed the case as one
of Chicken-pox. Subsequently, this man and three other persons living in the
same house were removed to hospital suffering from Small-pox. He, himself,
was taken to the Hospital as a suspected case on the 23rd December.
In the course of enquiries following the notification of the above cases, it
was found that several packages belonging to the manager of the variety
troupe were lying at the cloak room of a City railway station, and I deemed
it advisable to have these disinfected. These goods, which consisted of a
quantity of second-hand uniforms of the Gordon Highlanders, were taken to
the disinfecting station, where they were dealt with.
It was later ascertained that some scenery used by the same troupe was
deposited at a goods yard in Shoreditch, and this fact was accordingly
reported to the Medical Officer of Health for that district.
PROVISION OF DIPHTHERIA ANTI-TOXIN.
The Local Government Board under an Order dated the 15th August, 1910.
known as "The Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (London) Order, 1910," authorised
the provision by Sanitary Authorities in the Metropolis of a temporary supply
of Diphtheria Anti-Toxin, and of medical attention in connection therewith
for the poorer inhabitants of their districts subject to the following conditions,
viz.:—
"The arrangements with respect to the keeping, distribution, and use
"of the Diphtheria Anti-Toxin should be made in accordance with the
"advice of the Medical Officer of Health."
With regard to the provision of medical attendance in connection with the
administration of the Anti-Toxin serum, Article II. of the Order extends the
duties of a Medical Officer of Health to include all necessary action under
the Order, and Article III. authorises the Sanitary Authority to pay from
time to time to the Medical Officer of Health, in addition to the salary of such
Medical Officer of Health, reasonable compensation for such action in the
execution of the duties thrown upon him by the Order.
In a circular letter accompanying the Order of the Board, it is directed
that in cases where the patient is under the care of a medical practitioner,
such medical practitioner should, in ordinary circumstances, administer the
Anti-Toxin. In cases not so attended, the Medical Officer of Health would have
to act.