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11
The names and addresses of all persons that had been in contact with the
patient and had been exposed to the infection, were obtained. The employers
were informed of the circumstances, and if the contacts lived in other districts the
Medical Officers of Health for those districts were also informed of the particulars
of the case. The Public Vaccinator of the district was also informed.
I personally visited all the contacts living in our district, and examined all the
persons living in the house where a case had occurred, at least twice a week for the
succeeding fortnight. The Sanitary Inspectors visited these houses daily, and inquired
whether anyone felt ill. If anyone appeared to be ill, the Inspector informed
me.
In comparing my list of contacts with the persons actually in the house at the
time of my visits, I often found that some of the children were playing in the streets.
I always waited till they were sent for, and in t welve instances I found that children
actually suffering from modified Small-pox were out. All the people in the house,
as well as those that had been exposed to infection, were urged to be at once vaccinated.
The rooms were closed and fumigated with sulphur as soon as the patient
was removed.
The paper was afterwards stripped from the walls, and the clothing, etc., disinfected
by steam. If the bedding and clothing were in a filthy condition, they were
burnt. If the family occupied a few rooms only, they were asked to occupy rooms at
one of the shelters, where food was provided for them. In addition to the shelters
at Globe Road and Prospect Place, three others were acquired and furnished, two at
Rose Lane, and one at Emmott Street.
By visiting contacts I discovered 205 cases of Small-pox. No medical man had
seen the patients, and in 104 cases there was no intention of seeking medical advice.
This caused a great deal of extra labour, but its usefulness was proved by the results.
I saw, in consultation with medical practitioners, 605 doubtful cases, of which
nearly 300 were not suffering from Small-pox. Though this, is not considered part
of my duties, I was always glad of it, as it gave me the opportunity of having the
patients removed sooner than if the medical attendant waited, till he was absolutely
certain of his diagnosis.
By immediately visiting the premises on the receipt of the notifications, I saw
an additional 500 patients, and obtained particulars of their illness, and, if possible,
the source of the infection before they were removed to the hospital.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board were asked that during the epidemic someone
should be on duty at their offices at night, to receive messages and arrange for
the immediate removal of persons suffering from Small-pox. In common lodging
houses especially, it was essential that the patients should be at once removed, as
they were frequently sitting in the kitchen with scores of others. The lodgers often
did not come in till late in the evening, when they were then discovered to be ailing