Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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49
TO THE
VESTRY OF SAINT MATTHEW, BETHNAL GREEN.
September 3rd, 1892.
Gentlemen,
A large number of more or less destitute aliens are finding
???eir way into this country, and, as most of them come from
???ussia and pass through Cholera-stricken districts on their way
???re, there is every probability that they will bring with them the
. ???eds of the disease.
Hamburg is, as you know, the port we have most cause to fear;
???lis place is about twenty-four hours distance from London ; and
the incubation period of Cholera is as long as ten days, people
???ay arrive in London apparently in good health, and yet may
???velop the disease a week after their arrival. "We are very likely to
???t some of these imported Cholera cases in Bethnal Green, as we
???ve a colony of Russian Jews in the South West corner of the
???rish, and some of these undesirable immigrants are pretty
???rtain to find their way to friends in the neighbourhood of Code
???reet and Pedley Street. Our Ports are being very carefully
???tched by the authorities ; passengers by all ships from infected
???aces are being medically examined, persons found to be suffering
???m Choleraic symptoms are detained and removed to hospital,
???e others being allowed to depart to their homes upon giving
???eir addresses. These addresses are sent to the Sanitary Authori-
???s of the various districts so that all suspected persons may be
???refully watched, the first symptoms of Cholera detected, and the
???fected persons isolated without delay. So far, none of these
???dresses have been sent to me; but I have held myself in readiness
???undertake the necessary supervision should it be required.
???I may say that the Local Government Board have under con-
???eration the extension of this system, and propose to follow to
???eir homes and keep under supervision all persons coming from
???D