View report page

39
ON THE SPREAD OF SMALL POX.
During the year the following letter on the means to be adopted
to prevent the spread of small pox was received by the Hackney
Sanitary Authority from the Local Government Board:—
Local Government Hoard,
Whitehall, S.W.,
August 2nd, 1895.
Sir,—I am directed by the Local Government Board to bring
under the attention of the Vestries and District. Boards in the
inetropolis the fact that small-pox has recently undergone pome
considerable increase in London, and that its extension tends to
involve a number of metropolitan sanitary districts.
The circumstance is 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 connection 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 vaccintion
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 hould 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.
This letter was considered by the Sanitary Committee on
October 3rd, and I was instructed in all future cases of small-pox