View report page

35
On October 29th, information was received that three cases of
Small-pox had been removed to the Shelter of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board; it was stated that the persons had come from Dunkirk. Enquiry was
made on all vessels from Dunkirk, but without result. It was subsequently
ascertained that the people had not come by way of the Port of London.
They were members of a travelling show, touring on the Continent, and
returning to their homes in this country. They travelled from Dunkirk to
Calais, crossing over to Dover, and thence by train to Charing Cross, three
persons being removed to hospital suffering from Small-pox the same day
that they arrived at their destination.
There would appear no doubt that the persons referred to were in a
condition to disseminate the disease during the whole period of the journey
from Dunkirk to Hammersmith, and it is a further example of the manner in
which this disease may be spread broadcast, and how persons unwittingly
may be exposed to the risk of infection.
The absence of Small-pox on the training ships throughout the epidemic is
remarkable, more especially in the case of those on the Essex shore near the
villages of Purfleet and Grays, where Small-pox has been very prevalent.
This, in my opinion, is entirely due to the thorough, and, where necessary,
repeated, vaccination of the inmates of these vessels. This is specially
interesting, as it has been stated that the epidemic in Purfleet was largely due
to aerial convection of the disease from the hospital ships of the Metropolitan
Asylums Board. If this were so, then the training ships being in the direct
path of such aerial convection, would have been equal sufferers with the
villages had they not been protected by vaccination.
I am pleased to report that no member of the Staff during the past year has
contracted Small-pox, although during the epidemic constantly exposed to
risk of infection. It is needless to say that every member of the Staff is
vaccinated on entering the service, and re-vaccinated when required.
CHICKEN-POX.
Chicken-pox has been a notifiable disease during practically the whole year.
The following handbills were circulated throughout the Port and amongst
Medical Practitioners during February and October :—
CORPORATION OF LONDON.
Port of London
Sanitary authority.
COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that as a matter of emergency in
consequence of the spread of SMALL-POX in this country, the
Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of the City of London, as the Port