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65
SMALL POX.
I am glad to say there has been no death from this disease
during the past twelve months. These cases were notified to us:—
one in Grove Road and one in Edwards Road in April, and one in
the Mile End Road in August last, the one in Edwards Road being
that of a servant who had evidently contracted the disease outside the
hamlet who on entering into service in Grove Road conveyed it
to one of the inmates who was attacked about a fortnight after she
went to live with them. Both these cases were at once removed to
the hospital and every precaution taken to prevent the spread of the
disease, with the result that no other case occurred. The case in Mile
End Road was that of a servant who went out for a holiday, stayed
all night and slept with one of the nurses from the Small Pox Hospital-Ship.
About a fortnight afterwards the disease showed itself,
and she was promptly removed to the Hospital and the room disinfected
as quickly as possible. I feel sure it was only owing to prompt
measures being taken that the spread of the disease was prevented.
SCARLET FEVER.
We have been happily comparatively free from this disease during
the last twelve months, only 40 deaths occurring. There were 85
cases sent to the Asylum Board Hospital, and altogether 107 notified
to us. The houses where they occurred were at once disinfected and
sanitary measures were taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
The prejudice that formerly existed as to sending these cases away is
rapidly subsiding, and the poorer people are beginning to see and feel
that isolation is not only the very best thing for actual patients, but
also for those at home; and when we go to inspect and disinfect, the
people are only too pleased to render every assistance.
MEASLES.
As will be seen from the table there has been an exceptional
mortality from this disease, especially during the quarter ending Dec.
1888. During that period an epidemic broke out, and owing to the
want of compulsory notification we were comparatively powerless to
prevent the spread of the disease. I was informed that it was
particularly prevalent in the neighbourhood of Bow Common Lane
Board Schools, and on visiting the locality I found a large number of
children suffering from the disease, some 35 children attending
the school were attacked in a fortnight, and altogether about 21 per
cent. of the children were absent presumably from this disease. I nder
such circumstances I found it necessary to ask the Vestry to put in
force the powers conferred upon its Sanitary authority by the 98th
article of the code of the educational department, which states "The
Manager must comply with any notice of the Sanitary authority of
the district in which the school is situate requiring them lor a specified
time, with a view to preventing the spread of disease, either to