View report page

86
On visiting the first thing next morning I found four cases of
smallpox. The mother had evidently been entirely overlooked.
She had been seen by a doctor in Brentford before the barge went
to Birmingham. When at Birmingham she consulted a doctor
near the docks, who treated her for "spring rash." Her journeys
had been limited entirely from the barge to the doctors whom she
consulted. I was given to understand that it was imperative that
the cargo should be shifted down the river that night, so I arranged
with the firm to remove the contacts to Dockwell Hospital.
A cousin from another barge went on board, and accompanied
the family to Dockwell. This was done as the family had no home
except the barge. All the contacts were vaccinated the same afternoon.
One of the contacts developed smallpox on the 9th, and was
removed to the London County 'Council's Hospital. On the
11th the remaining cases were removed to South Wharf; the boy
aged 9 then being a definite case, and the boy 18 doubtful. In all,
seven cases arose from this missed case of the mother.
On the 13th June, Dr. Darke notified a case of smallpox from
2, James Street. I saw this case in consultation with the doctor,
and another member of the family who had been under treatment
previously by another doctor, and diagnosed as chickenpox. He
was now obviously convalescent from smallpox. Another boy, aged
18, was just commencing.
There was a perfectly definite history of onset in all three
cases.
Dr. Shaw, from the Ministry, confirmed the diagnosis. All
the cases were removed to hospital the same day.
On the 11th September, the Deputy Medical Officer of Health,
in my absence, was asked by Dr. Davey to see two cases of smallpox,
in the person of two visitors to the house in question. The first
case had been staying at Pitsea, where there had been staying a boy
from East Ham, who was said to have "spots on his hands." Later,
the housewife at the same address was removed suffering from a
definite attack of smallpox.