View report page

28
The following table shows the prevalence of smallpox in the country,
London and Shoreditch during recent years : —

The condition as to vaccination of the 115 actual cases was as follows :—
Unvaccinated ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 95
Vaccinated after infection ... ... ... ... ... 3
Vaccinated more than 10 years previously ... ... ... 17
Vaccinated less than 10 years previously ... ... ... 0
No vaccinations were performed by the Medical Officer of Health under
the Public Health (Smallpox Prevention) Regulations, 1917.
As explained in the last Annual Report, the work of surveillance of
smallpox contacts (over 9,000 in number) as required by the Ministry of
Health Circular No. 71a/Med, was so heavy during 1930 as to necessitate
the appointment of temporary Sanitary staff.
The decline in the number of cases and the modification of the administrative
procedure approved by the Ministry, particulars of which were given
in the last Report, made it possible to dispense with the services of these
temporary Officers before the commencement of the year now under
consideration.
During 1931 the number of contacts under surveillance was approximately
1,220, surveillance being carried out by the normal sanitary staff.
In February, 1931, a report on the subject of smallpox prevention was
issued by the Ministry of Health (No. 62). This report is important from
the point of view of local administration, as an official distinction is drawn
between the severe and the mild form of the disease, known respectively as
Variola major and Variola minor. It is recognized that where Variola
minor has become established in a district the procedures applicable in the
case of Variola major or on the first appearance of Variola minor cannot
suitably be applied in their entirety, and that the exact procedure to be
adopted is a matter for local judgment.