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a hospital within reach, and the fact that there was a hospital
within reach probably led to the disclosure and removal of a
number of cases that would have been concealed, as so often
happened in 1871, if they had had to be removed to a long
distance. In comparing 1881 with 1871, the increase of population
must be bome in mind; the 444 recorded cases in 1871 would
have been swollen to 600 in 1881 if the attacks had been as
frequent in 1881 as in 1871. The number of concealed cases in
1871, however, was much greater and therefore the comparison is
so much the more favourable to 1881, when there would have
been some 840 cases if the attacks had borne the same ratio to
population. Moreover, had the rate of mortality in 1881 been as
great in proportion to population as in 1871, instead of 55, there
would have been 162, deaths.
Practically the epidemic, so far as this parish is concerned,
came to an end at the close of the year, and the disease has been
little prevalent since that time in the Metropolis generally, least of
all in the western districts. The epidemic may be said to have
lasted with occasional intertnissions upwards of five years, during
which 1207 cases have been recorded in this parish. Of the
sufferers 526 had resided north of Uxbridge Road, and 681 south
of that road; 367 were under and 840 over 15 years of age;
918 cases were removed to hospital and 289 were treated at home.
The fluctuations of the epidemic, and the relative prevalence
of the disease in the parts of the parish, north and south of
Uxbridge Road, at different periods, between March 1876, and
the end of 1881, are shown in Table XIII. Appendix, compiled from
my monthly reports.
FULHAM HOSPITAL.
By favor of the Clerk of the Asylums Board I have received a
copy of the Annual Report for 1881 of Mr. Sweeting, the Medical
Superintendent of Fulham Hospital, from which I learn that 1,914
cases of Small-pox (acute 1,752, and convalescent 162:—vaccinated
1,355, "doubtful" 187, and unvaccinated 210), were admitted in the
course of the year, in addition to 38 cases that were not Small-pox:
three of the cases journeyed to the hospital in cabs, and 38 walked
in. During April 355 cases desiring admission could not be