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10
The inclusion of Diphtheria in the diseases admitted into the
Asylums' Hospitals, has been a most useful concession, and one
which has proved helpful to the District. In my last Report, I gave
details of an instructive case of Small-pox which was received into a
two-roomed house in Dock Street from Lisbon. The patient was
quickly transferred to the hospital ship; disinfection was thoroughly
performed, and I re-vaccinated all those who were stated to be
resident in the cottage. The climax of this case arrived, when,
after the usual period of incubation for Small-pox had passed, I
was requested to see a man who was a lodger in the house, but
whose existence had not been declared, and who consequently had
escaped re-vaccination. This proved to be a case of Small-pox.
It was treated in the same way by removal, and subsequent
disinfection of the place was again carried out. No further extension
of the disease occurred.
I recite this episode, because I believe that a few such well
marked cases must convince anyone who is open to conviction, to
the advantages of vaccination and re-vaccination, and the danger
which may result from their avoidance. In a cleverly written
article by Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson, occurs, perhaps the most
remarkable testimony to the protective power of vaccination from
Small-pox. "During the epidemic in Sheffield, there were 830
"soldiers in barracks, all of whom had, in accordance with army
"regulations, been re-vaccinated. These men were allowed to
"visit their friends without restriction, and the barracks were in
"the part of Sheffield just affected by the disease. Of the 830
"twelve only contracted small-pox, or 1-4 per cent. Of these one
"died. Enquiry elicited the remarkable fact that in all the twelve
"cases the re-vaccination had been unsuccessful. No single
"soldier who had been successfully re-vaccinated contracted small"pox.
There were 372 policemen in Sheffield during the epidemic.
"All had been vaccinated in infancy. Ten of these contracted the
"disease prior to February 1888, when all were re-vaccinated.
" After the re-vaccination none were attacked.
"Of 290 men and boys employed in the Post Office, all of whom,
"in accordance with regulations, had been re-vaccinated, not a
"single one contracted small-pox in any form. It is obvious that
"they would run special risks as regards exposure."