Report on vaccination and its results, based on the evidence taken by the Commission during the years 1889-1897.

  • Great Britain. Royal Commission on Vaccination.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on vaccination and its results, based on the evidence taken by the Commission during the years 1889-1897. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    468/512 (page 460)
    ( Results of Sanitary Improvements/ p. 17), and we learn from the Secretary of the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company that in 1880-82 there were but two deaths from smallpox among more than 15,000 tenants, while there were 3268 smallpox deaths in those years in London with a population of 3,800,000. 232. At Warrington in 1892-3 Dr. Savill notes1 that a relation existed between smallpox rate and house rate. All but 11 of the 455 infected houses were rated at less than 16Z. per annum, and 406 of them at 8/. and under ; with the exception of these eleven, the smallpox was absolutely confined to the lower, or artisan, or working classes, whose gregarious habits pre-eminently favour the spread of the disease from person to person. 233. At Dewsbury we learn from Dr. Coupland's report2 that the sanitary coudition of the union was anything but satisfactory. In 1878 a disproportionately high mortality from fever had occasioned a special investigation. It was found that the mean death-rate from this cause had been 8'3 per 10,000 in Dewsbury, against 4-1 in London and 5-4 m the large towns of England. Although some improve- ment has taken place since that time there is much still to be done, especially in the matter of excrement disposal and house construction. The back-to-back system of dwellings is still the rule, especially in Batley. With but few excep- tions the incidence of the disease fell upon members of the working-class community. Associated with the staple industry of weaving is a very extensive rag trade; the rags come from all parts of the world, and consist of cast-off wearing apparel in all degrees of filthiness. Dr. Co upland observes that in the higher part of Batley, which is mostly residential, but few cases of smallpox occurred. Of the 266 houses in Batley that were invaded, and of which particulars were obtained, 171 had no through ventilation, 122 of these were back-to-back, and 7 were cellar dwellings. In Dewsbury more than 70 per cent, of the invaded houses had no through ventilation. At both 1 Warrington Rep., p. 87. 2 Dewsbury Eep., p. 10.