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7
The Small Pox Epidemic of 1871.
Before closing an account of the small pox epidemic of 1871
in this Parish—which appeared in my last Quarterly Report—
I take an opportunity of reproducing the table herewith appended,
and some additional information from the recently published
Annual Reports of the Hospitals under the management of the
Metropolitan District Asylum Board, at Hampstead, Hommerton
and Stockwell. These reports are interesting in many points,
and the statistical tables are valuable. No-where can be found
proofs more decisive as to the protective power of good Vaccination.
Whilst the lesson of a small pox epidemic is still fresh,
the following facts ought to be made as widely known as
possible to the public:—
The rate of Mortality in 14,800 cases admitted into Hospitals
was 10.15 per cent, in vaccinated cases, and 44.8 in the unvaccinated
persons. The general death rate was 18.66 per cent.
In 3,085 cases treated at the Hommerton and Stockwell Hospitals,
the mortality of the un-vaccinated was 47.5 per cent., and
25 per cent, in badly vaccinated, whilst in well vaccinated cases
it was from 5.3, and only 1.1 where 4 good marks were observed.
In 420 well vaccinated small pox cases uuder 15 years of age
the mortality was only 0.47, showing a comparative immunity
from fatal results. Furthermore, conclusive evidence of the
power of re-vaccination, is afforded by the fact, "that all the
servants and nurses about the Hospitals, to the number at one
time of about 300 persons, where they were hourly brought
into contact with the disease, and who constantly breathe
its atmosphere, and than whom none can be more exposed to
its contagion, have with but few exceptions, enjoyed complete
immunity from its attacks. These exceptions were cases of
nurses and servants, whose re-vaccination in the pressure of the
epidemic was over-looked, and who speedily took the disease.
One was that of a nurse, who having previously had small pox,
was not re-vaccinated, and took the disease a second time."
Vaccination is still imperfectly appreciated, when we find that
in 1871, the small pox killed 23,000 persons; in London alone
nearly 8,000 fell victims to this easily preventible disease.
One of the most telling arguments for a perfect system of
Vaccination is that which appeals to the pockets of rate-payers
in the additional cost of Non-Vaccinated patients. The average
duration of the small pox cases, modified by vaccination, was