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Infective Diseases. 17
The total number of cases, less Tuberculosis and Ophthalmia
Neonatorum, was 4,1.50, compared with 4,280 in 1927, 3,316
in 1926 and 4,240 in 1925. The decrease, compared with
1927, is due mainly to the decrease in the number of cases of
Whooping Cough.
Small-pox.
During the year 88 cases of Small-pox occurred in the
Borough between the months of February and July,
In connection with this outbreak it is interesting to recall
the fact that the last epidemic of Small-pox in the Borough
occurred in the years 1901 to 1904, when there were 171 cases
with 29 deaths. Between 1904 and the present outbreak there
has only been one case. This was in 1921, when a man, who
was infected abroad, developed the disease at his home in
the Borough.
The first patient was taken ill about the 10th February
and the last case was removed to Hospital on the 28th July.
The 88 cases included 45 males and 43 females, and the
age grouping was as follows:—
Under 15 years 55 cases
15 and under 25 11 cases
25 and under 45 11 cases
45 and over 11 cases
Twelve cases occurred in the Springfield Mental Hospital,
and one case in the Wandsworth Casual Ward. The other
75 cases occurred at home, 50 households being affected.
The disease was the mild form of Small-pox which has been
present in this country for the last few years, and all the
patients recovered. The mildness of the disease contributed
materially to the difficulties of investigating the outbreak.
In several instances, when endeavouring to trace the
origin of cases I found persons actually suffering from Smallpox,
who were following their usual occupations. They had
not felt ill and although a few spots may have been noticed
c