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7
By far the most serious epidemic in the periods quoted was
that of 1871. In that year nearly 8,000 persons died of small-pox
in the Metropolis. St. Marylebone had its share, and the then
Vestry isolated a number of cases in the Stoneyard in two
temporary iron buildings. The temporary hospital was opened
on January 11th, and closed June 27th. In the 24 weeks,
215 cases of small-pox were treated there; the deaths were 37,
and therefore the case mortality, 17.2 per cent. It may be
ungracious to criticise at this long distance well-meant efforts
at isolation, but it cannot be denied that the site was unfortunate.
Experience has amply proved that small-pox hospitals must be
a considerable distance from populous centres, besides which
hurriedly erected temporary buildings give poor and inadequate
accommodation for the treatment of a specially serious malady.
The late Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Whitmore, in his report,
indeed confessed " that draughts of cold air would find their way
through open doors and crevices to the occasional discomfort
of the patients, and which rendered the use of screens and
curtains necessary. Again, it was very difficult to keep males
and females separate from each other after they had become
sufficiently convalescent to leave their beds. The closet
accommodation was also bad, as it was impossible to provide
for the separate conveniences of either sex with all necessary
regard to privacy."
The actual number of cases, either in the Metropolis or in
this district, in the great epidemic of 1871 is only a matter of