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disease has occurred in London or its suburbs, and owing to the free
use of vaccination and revaccination, an epidemic of such dimensions
as that of 1902 is not likely to occur for some years.
That some permanent provision should be made for small pox
patients is very patent, and if your arrangement with West Ham
Corporation cannot be renewed, some day a serious difficulty will be
found in providing accommodation when possible sites will be farther
and farther removed from your district, and the value of land enhanced.
Until the Legislature makes vaccination in infancy, re-vaccination
during school life and adult life compulsory, we may expect periodical
recurrences of an ever-increasing expenditure.
When the inmates of an attacked house availed themselves in time
of re-vaccination not one took the disease, but where they refused, one
or more were stricken down, and in many instances where a second or
third person caught the disease, the remainder were glad to avail themselves
of vaccination or revaccination, with benefit to themselves by
immunity from the disease.
The 146 cases occurred in 100 houses, and were scattered throughout
the district. I made a personal examination of every case, which
entailed a very large amount of time and labour, but I felt that these
visits were necessary in the public interest
In no case was there any difficulty with the doctor in attendance on
the patients, and many medical men invited my opinion in doubtful cases.
Printed lists were issued weekly to every medical practitioner in the
district, showing where the sufferers resided, and thus keeping those
gentlemen on the qui vive, a proceeding that must have been very
helpful to them in their practice.
By prompt removal of the patients, the distribution of the leaflets,
and by the efficient way in which Mr. West and those under him
carried out their duties, your Authority did all in its power to check the
spread of the disease.
During the year Dr. Dharra Mair had an interview with your Chairman,
the Chairman of the Sanitary Committee, Mr. West, and myself,
and I believe that he too felt satisfied that you were doing everything
in your power to check the disease and taking every precaution that
was known to be feasible or useful.
The 146 cases of small pox cost your authority £2,289 12s. 2d.
SCARLATINA OR SCARLET FEVER.
The number of cases notified during the year was 560, compared
with 008 the previous year.