London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Stepney 1902

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]

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15
Pox. I had visited the house that morning, when the child in question was out. I
again visited the house, and found that the child was suffering from Small-pox, and
not Chicken Pox.
(7) A female living at 53, St. Thomas' Road, was taken ill on March 13th, and
on the 16 th a rash appeared. On March 17th she went to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, where she waited some time in the waiting-room. She was seen by the
medical officer in charge, who prescribed for her, and she was told to go home,
According to the patient's story, she was told to come again "if the spots became
worse." She returned home partly by train and partly by tram. On March 21st
she got worse and the rash became "milky" in appearance. She went to the hospital,
taking the train at Aldgate as before. On this occasion the disease was diagnosed,
and she was removed to the Small-pox Hospital. A few days afterwards two others
in the house contracted the disease. The Hospital authorities on being communicated
with, denied the statements made by the patient.
(8) On March 23rd I received a notification that a case of Small-pox occurred
at 2, Brant-ridge Street. I visited the premises on the same date, and examined
everyone in the house. Two of the children were out playing in the streets.
They were sent for, and I waited till they came. On examining them I found that
one, a girl aged 13, was suffering from Small-pox. She was at once removed to the
Small-pox Hospital. On inquiring I found that she was taken ill on March 13th, and
was seen by a medical man on the 14th. She was again seen by the same medical
man on the 15th, when a rash had appeared. The doctor diagnosed Chicken Pox,
but failed to notify me of the fact. I saw him afterwards, and his excuse was that
he thought the child was suffering from Chicken Pox, and he did not know that
Chicken Pox was a notifiable disease.
(9) Mr. L. A. Hince, living at 31, Portland Street, went to the Vaccinating Station
to be vaccinated on March 13th. He was seen by the Public Vaccinator, who told him
to go home at once, as he was suffering from Small-pox. The house where he lodged
was visited the same night about 11 p.m. The patient had not then arrived home.
His landlady was informed of the fact, and when the patient returned she told him
that he was to go to his room and stay there till he could be removed to the Smallpox
Hospital. He admitted to her, that he was suffering from Small-pox, but he
would not stay in his room. In the morning he went out, taking a bag with him.
He was removed to the Hospital on the same day. After his discharge, proceedings
were taken against him for exposing himself in public while suffering from Small-pox.
He was fined £5 and £2 3s. costs.
(10) A woman went to the London Hospital on March 20th. She was informed
that she was suffering from Small-pox, and was detained in the isolation room till
the ambulance arrived. Before the ambulance arrived she ran away, and tried to
obtain admission to the Whitechapel Infirmary. She was seen by the Medical
Superintendent, who diagnosed Small-pox, and detained till the arrival of the ambulance,
when she was removed to the Hospital.