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diagnosis having been arrived at after midnight. On removal
of the patient the room or rooms have been at once
fumigated, and all things liable to retain infection disinfected
by superheated steam or, if extremely foul, dirty, or
old, destroyed.
The Vaccination Officer and the Public Vaccinator have
been at once communicated with by telephone or special
messenger. They have attendeed at the house, and have
been extremely successful in re-vaccinating "contact" cases.
During the operation of disinfection the majority of those
who have been in contact with the patient have been
persuaded to take advantage of the shelter, have had a
cleansing bath, and their wearing apparel disinfected.
3,000 circulars have been sent to employers of labour in the
district suggesting the propriety of calling the attention of
their workers to the immunity conferred by re-vaccination,
and in the majority of instances there has been a favourable
and practical response.
The Guardians quite early took a sensible view of their
responsibilities, and granted the Public Vaccinator proper
facilities to perform his duties.
The writer addressed a letter to the School Board for
London, requesting permission to cause an investigation to
be made as to the degree of immunity the scholars might
possess. After some time a special meeting of the School
Board was held and permission granted for this investigation,
but coupled with conditions that almost entirely
nullified its practical use. In effect, resistance to the
examination was suggested to the parents. Even the names
and addresses of those who declined vaccination were not
allowed to be taken and the Public Vaccinator was not
permitted to vaccinate children who desired vaccination
then and there, but must track them to their homes.
On account of the three cases north of Marylebone
Road and also because a large number of persons who have
been hop-picking have recently returned to the Borough, it
has been considered a wise precaution to make arrangements
for the officers of the Sanitary staff to be on duty in
relays from 9 a.m. up to 11.30 p.m., and these arrangements
have been communicated to all Medical men in the Borough.