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24
The two first cases were those of labouring youths (one of whom
was un-vaccinated) employed on an estate in an infected district
at Brixton. There were 20 cases, and nine deaths in the two
streets. On receiving information of the prevalence of Small
Pox in the neighbourhood, which, however, was not until the
announcement of the first death, I visited the locality and
used all possible means at my command to prevent the spread
of the disease. All children residing in the infected District
were excluded from school, hand-bills giving instructions as to
Vaccination, and showing the penalties for exposing infected
articles, &c., were distributed from house to house, the thorough
cleansing of all drains and closets was observed, the isolation of
the sick, and the speedy disinfection and removal of the dead was
in all cases carried out without hindrance. The Clergy and
District Visitors rendered very important aid.
VACCINATION AND RE-VACCINATION.
Observing the number of children attacked by Small Pox under
the age of twelve years—the age under which payment for revaccination
is not allowed by the Local Government Board to the
Public Vaccinators, even during an epidemic of Small Pox.*
in the latter part of the year 1876, I directed the attention
of the Vestry to the urgent necessity that existed for the
examination of all children at our public schools by the appointed
Vaccinator, with a view to ascertain whether they were sufficiently
protected by primary Vaccination.
Under the new system of Compulsory Education it is important
to bear in mind, that the children attending our Public Schools
* One hundred and one deaths, or more than two-fifths of the total deaths
from Small Pox, in Lambeth, were in children under twwlve years of age.