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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 connexion with the cases which are
occurring, with the view of preventing the spread of infection, and
they will be obliged to the Authority 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
secure as far as practicable the isolation of the patient, the
vaccination of any persons 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,
"HUGH OWEN,
" Secretary."
In London last year there were only nine deaths from small-pox,
the death-rate being 0.00. Of these deaths only one occurred in the