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10
263 were reported as vaccinated—no marks, 106 died=
39.39 per cent. deaths.
Also, that of those with one mark, only 13.81 percent. died;
but with two or more marks, only 7.7 per cent. died. In the
small pox hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylum Board there
were 3,125 persons admitted, of whom 1,898 were vaccinated,
and 1,227 unvaccinated. The mortality amongst the vaccinated
was 8.6 per cent., and amongst the unvaccinated, 37.8 per cent.
During the present epidemic the mortality up to March 24th,
1877, amongst both classes, has been greater, viz., 10.8 percent.
amongst the vaccinated, and 45.8 amongst the unvaccinated, as
calculated on Dr. Brewer's plan, which gives a lower percentage
than on that ordinarily adopted. I have devoted a rather
considerable space to prove the necessity not only for primary
vaccination, but for re-vaccination, at any rate, after 15 years
of age.
The disinfection of houses and infected articles has been
very actively carried out, as in most cases the infected articles
were removed to the Board's disinfecting chamber, but in the
beginning of the epidemic the cases occurred so rapidly that it
was impossible to remove all, so that in slight cases which
were taken early to the hospital the articles were disinfected
with sulphur in the rooms, and in no case did the disease spread
from the rooms, bedding, &c., so disinfected. In all cases
where the patients remained at home until cured, the infected
articles were removed, and the beds and bedding not worth
disinfection were burnt in fourteen instances. The total number
of houses disinfected by the Officers of the Board was 570. The
disinfecting accounts being made up for the year, I have not had
the entries separated for the purposes of this epidemic, so that
the return for the year includes disinfection done for scarlet
fever and fever.