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39
It will be seen on reference to the tables that 409 cases occurred in
private houses, 12 in the workhouses, and 134 in common lodging-houses.
The case-rate per 1000 of the population is for private houses 1.9, and for
common lodging-houses 32.0.
The total deaths at all ages during the epidemic numbered 86, and
the total cases 555. This is a percentage of deaths on the total cases of
155. No person who was vaccinated in infancy died under the age of
19 years—I made very careful enquiries into all the cases and I was
unable to find the disease occurring in any person vaccinated or revaccinated
within the last ten years. Two men between ages 35 and 45,
who were removed to hospital with the disease, stated that they had
been re-vaccinated before they were 20, but they seemed unable to give
any clear account of it.
Preventive Measures.
Removal of family to the Reception House—
Every endeavour was made to get the family, in which a case of
Small-pox had occurred, at once into our Reception House, and in
the case of a tenemented house to get as many families removed as
it was possible. It was a rule with us to require all persons who
had not been recently vaccinated to submit to the operation as soon
after residence as it could be conveniently done. In this way as
many as 550 persons were either vaccinated or re-vaccinated in the
Reception House during the epidemic. The table referring to the
work carried on at the Reception House shows the large number of
persons admitted and the very small cost at which they were maintained.
At times as many as 30 persons have been resident. The
splendid service done to the Borough by the Reception House, which
very often was found too small for our needs, and the comfort it gave
to families are very pleasant matters to look back upon. I do not
remember a single case of complaint, either of the fare provided for
the residents or of the housing accommodation.
We were able to achieve two things by this residence (1) the
vaccination of all persons who had been in contact with a case of
Small-pox, and (2) the thorough disinfection of the rooms the patient
occupied. At no time was complete quarantine maintained. As
soon as vaccination had been performed the male workers were
allowed to resume work and a certificate was given informing their
employers, that, in the opinion of the Medical Officer, the individual
referred to was not likely to convey infection to his fellow