Report of the medical officer of health with reference to smallpox in the city.

  • Liverpool (England)
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the medical officer of health with reference to smallpox in the city. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    Tlie appended diagrams show the consequences of some of these imported cases, and the extension of disease from person to person. The intense infectionsness of small])ox makes it difficult or impossible to trace the source of infection in the majority of instances. Eoutixe Peactice. L nder the routine practice, wheneTer a case of smallpox is notified (often by telephone) the patient is at once removed to hospital, the house is disinfected throughout, and the bedding and clothing removed to the Disinfecting Station the same day. The following day the rooms are stripped of wall paper, which is removed and burnt. Special Inspectors, experienced in the work, visit the houses to ascertain precise particulars as to the vaccination of the inmates, visitors, and neighbours, ahd also endeavour to find out all the persons who have been in contact with the patient. Xotice is sent to the Vaccination Officer that the case has occurred, and full particulars of all contacts are also sent to him. If any persons living in other towns have visited the patient, information is at once sent to the Medical Officer of the district. Xotice is sent to the school attended by the children (if any), precluding their further attendance. A special effort is made to induce other inmates of the house who may be employed in large works or offices, &c., to be re-vaccinated. If they refuse, an intimation is sent to the employer that it is advisable for them to remain at home for 14 days. The infected house is visited, and all contacts are visited every day for 14 days, and every few days after for another period of two weeks, to ascertain if any further sickness occurs ; and if any ailment is reported, word is sent to the office, and the Assistant Medical Officer visits the sick person. When a case occurs in a court-house or similar insanitary premises, the other inmates are removed to the City Hospital for isolation and re-vaccination. They can usually be persuaded to go.