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87
I have quoted in some detail the action taken in connection
with the third case as it serves to illustrate the measures necessary
by the Public Health Department when this dangerous disease
appears. The Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health in
his Annual Report for 1927, referred to all three cases and stated
"credit is due to the Medical Officer of Health of Hackney for the
able manner in which he dealt with these cases."
In 1928 one further case of smallpox was notified but numerous
contacts from other parts of London had to be kept under
observation. At this time there was a considerable number of
smallpox cases in S.E. London and concern was felt regarding the
possibility of the disease spreading to this district.
On the 6th January, 1928,the Council took a step which was to
have far-reaching effects on the incidence of Diphtheria when
they opened an Immunisation Clinic at 28, Lower Clapton Road.
There was great opposition to this clinic on the part of a local
Anti-Vivisection Society who were supported by another such
Society and pamphlets were distributed from a so-called Animal
Defenders Van which was stationed outside the clinic and outside
the Town Hall. Pamphlets were also sent to members of the
Council. This opposition continued while the local Society
existed and in my Annual Report for 1936 I commented at some
length on the character of this propaganda which was directed,
ostensibly on behalf of the welfare of animals, against all medical
research and the results of medical research which had involved
the use of animals. For instance, both diphtheria anti-toxin,
which, since its discovery, had revolutionised treatment against
diphtheria and lowered the death rate to an incredible degree,
and the toxoid anti-toxin used for immunisation against this
disease were described as deadly and dangerous products, whilst
at a later stage even insulin, used for diabetes, came under the
ban on account of the use of animals in its discovery and production.
The results of immunisation have been extremely satisfactory
and have played an enormous part in reducing the number of
cases of this disease occurring in the borough. Previously,
apart from the issue to doctors of diphtheria anti-toxin which
proved very successful when used for prophylactic purposes, and
the bacteriological examination of swabs taken from the throats
of persons suspected to be suffering from diphtheria, the action
taken by the Department had been limited to investigating the
source of infection, securing the removal of patients to hospital
and carrying out necessary disinfection.
In 1929 the anxiety felt in 1928 was justified, for 58 cases of
Smallpox were notified in Hackney although, fortunately, there