The history of small-pox in Australia, 1788-1908 / compiled from various sources by J.H.L Clumpston.

Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The history of small-pox in Australia, 1788-1908 / compiled from various sources by J.H.L Clumpston. 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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    was himself also found to show the remains of a mild small-pox infection, from which ho had suffered on board the steamer shortly after leaving Sourabaya, in Java, on 17th April. On 2.3rd May, the man Marion was examined at Launceston by Dr. Holmes, who stated that he found no traces of small-pox, ]iast or present, and that the man refused vaccination, but bore good vaccination marks. Marion stayed at the Globe Hotel, and of course came into direct contact with many jjeoplc, some of whom, more especially the fellow-members of his company, are said to have exchanged clothing with him for stag(^ pur))()ses. None of these people is known to have developed small-pox. Marion shortly afterwards left for New Zealand. After his arrival there he was quarantined for a time, suffering from traces of an eruption. Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer stated that he had a macular rash when he was examined in New Zealand, closely resembling that of a previous case of small-])C)x dealt with in New Zealand. It is probable that this was the last remnant of a mild attack gone thi'ough before leaving Tasmania. Dr. Mason further states that the only vaccination cicatrices discernible were very faint, and dating back to infancy. The actual origin of the outbreak has not been completely cleared up, despite close inquiry, but Dr. Elkington states that:— Sufficient evidence is available to place its connexion with the s.s. Gracchus Silmost beyond doubt. It will be interesting to make a chronological table of the various events recorded, upon which the connexion of the Gracchus with the outbreak is based:— Gracchus left Calcutta. Gracchus left Sourabaya, 17th April, and passenger developed small-pox. Patient discovered in Melbourne suffering from small-pox 20th May. Arrived Melbourne, 2nd May. ' Marion arrived Launceston, 4th May. Gracchus passenger attacked, 12th May. Mary Faulds attended theatre 9th May. Two cases reported from Lyttleton 19th May. Mary Faulds attacked, 23rd May. Vernon Cox attended theatre, 12th to 14th May. Vernon Cox attacked, 26th May. Frances Duggan attended theatre, 16th May. Frances Duggan attacked, 3rd June. Table H. gives the essential details for the 66 cases that occurred. From this table it is clear that at least 44 of the cases obtained their infection as a result of direct personal contact, and it is equally clear that, with the single exception of the laundress at the hospital, who became infected by Duggan's clothing, there is not suggested in the table any other method of infection. A map is included, showing the distribution of cases throughout Launces- ton and suburbs during this epidemic. The numbers shown on the map correspond with the numbers in Table H.* It is quite clear that there were cases of small-pox, or at any rate some focus of infection, on board the Gracchus; and it is also clear that the three cases which are to be taken as the primary foci attended the Empire Theatre, at which Marion—a passenger by the Gracchus, who was discovered in New Zealand to be suffering from an eruption diagnosed as small-pox—was performing. I It is a little difficult to understand why these three members of the audience should have contracted the infection at so great a distance as they would be from the stage, while the other members of the theatrical company and the visitors at the hotel, who were in much closer contact, should have escaped ; I but as no other explanation of the origin of the outbreak is forthcoming, * For this map I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Murnane, the Healtli Inspector of the Launceston City Council.