View report page

23
SMALL POX.
During the year to which this report refers, a severe epidemic
of Small Pox occurred in the Metropolis. The disease first made
its appearance in an epidemic form in the northern districts of
London, spreading to the north-east.
In November, 1883, 15 cases were admitted to the Hospitals
of the Asylums Board from the Parish of Hackney, and in
December, 38 cases from the same district.
In January, 1884, the disease appeared in Lambeth, the first
case occurred in Trinity Square, and was reported on the 8th; the
person attacked was a domestic servant who had been staying in
the north of London a fortnight previously; she was removed into
Hospital. The second case occurred in the Sandmere Road
about the 22nd, a third case in the Kennington Park Road about
the 26th, and a fourth case in the Bedford Road.
These cases were apparently unconnected with one another, and
the source of contagion very uncertain.
In February, one rase only was reported, while in the north,
north east, western, and central districts, 73 cases were sent to
Hospital.
In March, the Parish was quite free from the disease, not one
case having been reported, but in the northern districts of London
the epidemic was becoming severe—from Hackney alone, in this
month, 102 cases were removed.
During the third week in April, the disease again made its
appearance in Lambeth; five cases were reported in the Inner
Wards between the x 6th and 30th of the month.
During May, cases were reported almost daily, they were distributed
over the Parish, many cases occurring in the neighbourhood
of the Stockwell Hospital: 28 cases occurred during the
month. At this time, namely, the end of May, there were 1,057
cases under treatment at the Asylums Board Hospitals.