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86
the Local Government Board upon the prevalence, &c., of
the disease in the Metropolis.
Local Government Board,
Whitehall, S.W.,
2nd August, 1895.
Sir,—I am directed by the Local Government Board to bring under
the attention of the Vestries and District Boards in the Metropolis, the
fact that small-pox has recently undergone some considerable increase
in London, and that its extension tends to involve a number of
Metropolitan Sanitary Districts.
The circumstance is the more noteworthy, since at this season of the
year small-pox in London is, as a rule, at its lowest ebb.
The Board attach very great importance to the most energetic
measures being taken in connection with the cases which are occurring,
with the view of preventing the spread of infection, and they will be
obliged to the Authorities if they will specially instruct their Medical
Officer of Health in every case which may be notified to him or which may
come to his knowledge, immediately to visit the house where the disease
has broken out, and at the earliest possible moment to take such measures
as may be necessary to ensure as far as practicable the isolation of the
patient, the vaccination of any person who may have been exposed to
infection, and the disinfection of the premises, and any further action
which the circumstances will admit of, for the purpose of checking the
extension of the disease.
The Board deem it desirable that the Authority should as regards
each case be informed precisely of the measures which have been taken
by the Medical Officer of Health, and they will be glad to be furnished
with copies of the Reports which are made by him on the subject.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) Hugh Owen,
Secretary.
In England and Wales the total deaths registered from
the disease were 219.
In Registration London the mortality was 55 against
206 and 89 in two preceding years.