Report on the epidemic of smallpox 1901-2 in the Borough of Lambeth.

  • Lambeth (London, England)
Date:
[1902]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: Report on the epidemic of smallpox 1901-2 in the Borough of Lambeth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/40 (page 11)
    PREVENTIVE MEASURES. The preventive measures used with success in stamping out the epidemic may be tabulated as follows : — (1) Notification, (2) Isolation, (3) Disinfection, (4) Quarantining, (5) Vaccination and re-vaccination. 1. Notification. The importance of early and exact notification is the first step in dealing with an epidemic of Smallpox, as it is clear that with- out exact knowledge as to where the cases exist in the Borough, preventive measures cannot be taken. Knowing the difficulties that medical men (especially the younger medical men, who have had no experience of the disease) have in diagnosing Smallpox in some of its modified forms, I communicated by letter early in the outbreak (October 15th, 1901), with every medical man resi- ing or practising in Lambeth Borough, pointing out the danger of the Smallpox spreading on account of modified cases being mis taken for other diseases (e.g.. Chickenpox, Lichen, etc.). and the consequent importance of correctly diagnosing the disease in all its varied forms. To accomplish this I suggested that all doubt ful or suspicious cases should be voluntarily notified to me, as Medical Officer, and I undertook to act as consultant in such cases and take all responsibility. As a result, 277 doubtful or suspicious cases were notified, and all these the Medical Officer visited and removed to the Smallpox Hospital, or left at home, according as they were Smallpox, or other diseases. During 1901 (four months), 53 cases were notified, and during 1902 as follows: — January 51, February 38, March 30, April 40, May 30, June 24, July 10, and August 1; total 277. Of the 277 cases, it is of medical interest to note that 94 were Smallpox, 84 Chickenpox, 17 Lichen, 15 Erythema, 19 Acne and Echthyma, 14 Porrigo and Eczema, 6 Vaccinia, 6 Measles, 4 Herpes, 4 Psoriasis, 3 Scarlet Fever, 2 Erysipelas, 9 other skin diseases. Had the 94 doubtful cases, which proved to be Smallpox, been left to be treated as doubtful cases at home, it is appalling to think what proportions the epidemic might have assumed in Lam beth Borough. Copy of the letter sent out is as follows : — Public Health Department, 333, Kennington Road, S.E. October 15th, 1901. Dear Sir, re Smallpox. As Smallpox appears to be taking an epidemic form in London, and as several imported cases have already been notified in Lambeth Borough, it is of importance that the greatest care should be