HC Deb 02 March 1911 vol 22 cc704-5W
Dr. HILLIER

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many cases of smallpox there are at present reported in London; and whether he has requested medical officers of health to use every legitimate means to induce all those who have been brought in contact with these cases to be vaccinated?

Mr. BURNS

Up to last night the number of cases of smallpox which have been reported was forty-four. A medical inspector of the Board has conferred with the medical officers of health and with the officers of the guardians in regard to the steps to be taken for dealing with the outbreak.

Dr. HILLIER

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state how many sanitary authorities in the country are proposing the expenditure of ratepayers' money to provide additional hospital accommodation for smallpox on the alleged ground of the danger to the community consequent on the slackening of compulsory vaccination?

Mr. BURNS

I have no information that any sanitary authorities are proposing to provide additional hospital accommodation on the grounds mentioned.

Mr. LANSBURY

asked the President of the Local Government Board, with reference to the outbreak of small-pox in London, whether he will state how many cases have been notified; how many cases have been removed to the Joyce Green Hospital; how many of the cases were employed at the Mile End Infirmary and in what capacity; and what is the age and vaccinal condition of each patient?

Mr. BURNS

Since the beginning of the present outbreak forty-seven persons have been admitted at South Wharf; three of these have been found not to be suffering from small-pox; forty-three cases, notified as small-pox, have been sent to Joyce Green—one case remains at the Wharf. Seven of the cases notified were persons employed at the Mile End Infirmary (five as nurses and two as scrubbers). I cannot give the age and vaccinal condition of each patient, as these particulars have not yet been verified; but it is stated that of the forty-four patients six are five years of age or under, and of these three have not been vaccinated, three were vaccinated in infancy, two have been revaccinated since the onset of the disease. Seven are between five and fifteen years of age, of whom one has not been vaccinated, five were vaccinated in infancy, one case is doubtful; four cases have been vaccinated since the onset of the disease. Fifteen are between fifteen and thirty, of whom two have not been vaccinated, twelve were vaccinated in infancy, one is doubtful; eight of these have been revaccinated since the onset of the disease. Sixteen are cases of persons over thirty, of whom fourteen were vaccinated in infancy; two cases are doubtful; ten cases have been vaccinated since the onset of the disease. There has been one death—a case of an unvaccinated child of three years.