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92
Smallpox.
As early as June 20th infection from Paris was imported
into the Borough by a young gentleman. His
disease was supposed to be an ordinary case of chicken-pox.
The nurse who attended him sickened and rapidly died of a
malignant form of smallpox. So far as can be ascertained
there was no farther extension from these cases of the
disease.
The next cases were in the early part of July.
E.K., a clerk, was taken ill on July 9th, and E.K., a female
servant, on July 12th. They both lived in different parts
of the Borough, but had both been employed at a house in
the Paddington district from whence a case of smallpox
was removed July 6th. Hence since the usual period of
incubation is about a fortnight; these cases were derived
from some common source of infection. Again preventive
measures were successful, and from these cases no subsequent
case, so far as is known, was derived.
The district was now free from smallpox eighteen days,
but on the 24th of August up to the present date, a series of
notifications of smallpox have been received, the infection
apparently for the most part being derived from a group of
cases which occurred in the neighbouring district of
St. Pancras, and are reported to be caused through some
undiscovered cases of smallpox which had been erroneously
diagnosed as chicken-pox. These, with the exception of
three of the more recent, have all occurred south of the
Marylebone Road; there has not been a case in the St.
John's Wood district. It must also be particularly noted
that there has been no case in the various millinery and
drapery establishments or in the business houses.
The three cases north of the Marylebone Road occurred
a week ago in a densely populated quarter, and naturally
cause some anxiety.
Preventive Measures.
Directly each case has been notified a telegram or
telephonic message has been forwarded to the Asylums
Board, and the case removed with all the rapidity and comfort
characteristic of Asylum Board management. It may
be mentioned that one case was even removed at 2 a.m., the