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action taken by the Guardians in extending the facilities for vaccination
of the general public by the Public Vaccinators (including the opening
of a temporary Clinic at New End Hospital).
Subsequently the question of increasing the number of Public
Vaccinators was considered by the Guardians, and as a result a third
Vaccinator was appointed. The Borough is now apportioned to these
Officers as follows:—
Wards 1 (Town) and 2 (Belsize)—
Dr. E. A. Seymour, 12, Thurlow Road, N.W. 3.
Wards 3 (Adelaide); 4 (Central) and 7 (Priory)—
Dr. A. H. Hallen, 2, Alexandra Road, N.W. 8.
Wards 5 (West End) and 6 (Kilburn)—
Dr. W. Butement, 127, West End Lane, N.W. 6.
In connection with the occurrence of these cases, many contacts
were vaccinated by me under the Public Health (Small-pox Prevention)
Regulations, 1917, while others were vaccinated by the medical practitioners
concerned.
As it is by vaccination that the spread of Small-pox can most
effectually be prevented, it is highly desirable that the Borough Council,
and not the Poor Law Guardians should be constituted the vaccination
authority. This is one of the changes which probably will be brought
about when the long-promised reform of the Poor Law is undertaken:
but in view of the delay that may occur before such reform is made, the
matter appears to me to be of sufficient importance to warrant special
legislation to effect the necessary transfer of Vaccination Officers and
Public Vaccinators to Sanitary Authorities.
Every outbreak of Small-pox in Hampstead that has occurred since
I have been Medical Officer of Health has confirmed my opinion that
the Sanitary Authority, who is responsible for the control of this disease,
should be fully armed with all necessary powers in connection with
vaccination, which, as I have stated, is the most important and greatest
protection we have against Small-pox.
When considering the length of time over which this view has
been contended, it is interesting to recall that a Conference on the
subject of the administration of the Vaccination Acts, held at St. Pancras
Town Hall as long ago as 25th June, 1895, which was attended by
representatives from 20 London Sanitary Authorities—including Dr.
C. W Cunnington, then Chairman of the Public Health Committee,
and Dr. Edmund Gwynn, late Medical Officer of Health of Hampstead,