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history of the outbreak being very illuminating. The first case was
that of a young woman, usually resident in Camberwell, who, on
feeling unwell, came to stay with her mother in Southgate. Prior
to the diagnosis of smallpox being made, this girl infected her
sister, niece and brother-in-law, only two members of the household,
the father and mother, remaining unaffected. It is very significant
that these latter two persons were the only ones in the house who had
been previously vaccinated. The cases were removed to Long Reach
Hospital, where they all made a rapid and complete recovery.
Immediately following notification of the first case, steps were
taken to have all the other members of the household examined and
vaccinated, while endeavours were made to trace all contacts. The
examination of the other occupants of the house revealed the further
three cases reported above, and the search for contacts was therefore
extended. Thirty-five contacts in all were discovered, immediate
and remote, and it is very gratifying to be able to report that,
without exception, they all accepted vaccination. Close watch was
kept upon them, but no further cases occurred. I think it should
be placed on record that every assistance was given by the family
affected and the contacts to those making the investigation, while
all the instructions issued were faithfully carried out, a fact which
undoubtedly helped in so strictly limiting the number of cases.
Surrounding Authorities were immediately notified, in the usual
way, of all contacts resident in their districts.
Vaccination.—No primary vaccinations or revaccinations under
the Public Health (Smallpox Prevention) Regulations, 1917, were
required during 1933.
Scarlet Fever.—Ninety-one cases of scarlet fever were notified
during the year, as against 100 in 1932.
This figure is well below the average for the last five years (108)
and is the lowest recorded since 1926, in spite of the increase in
population. It must be remembered, of course, that this is an
inter-epidemic period so far as Southgate is concerned, but the
consistently low figure for scarlet fever during the past few years is
very satifsactory.
There were no deaths during 1933.
None of the cases notified was "imported," while 14 were
"secondary" cases occurring in houses from which previous cases
had been notified. In only three cases had the original patient been
isolated at home. There were two "return" cases from houses to
which previous cases had returned after discharge from the Isolation
Hospital, although in one case there was another very probable
source of infection.
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