SMALL-POX.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 311, 11 January 1902, Page 2

SMALL-POX.

A CASE MISSED BY SYDNEY AUTHORITIES. By Telegraph—Press] Association—Copyright Melbourne, Jan. 10. On the arrival of tho steamer Eastern from Chinese ports after calling at Sydney the second officer was declared in tho convalescent stage of small-pox. London, Nov. 30. Mrs Langtry is among the victims of vaccination, which is now the vogue among the fashionable women. The virus flew to her throat, producing acute inflammation of the vocal chords, which still prevents her acting. Ada Reeve, now playing in “ Santos,” was vaccinated six months ago while travelling in Australia, but her arm is still bad, despite every expedient. The pretty bow of red ribbon indicating recent inoculation is now seen on every third lady’s arm in tho West End, as small-pox is slowly but steadily increasing its hold both on numbers and area affected.

The spread of this pestilence is attributed to the lax ideas about vaccination caused by legislation adopted by this present Government three years ago, when the system of universal compulsion was modified exempting the children of any parent who declared before a magistrate that he or she “conscientiously objected ” to vaccination. In certain districts of London where this exemption is most freely availed of the disease is maintaining its firmest grip. The Chairman of tho Metropolitan Asylums Board said at this afternoon’s meeting that it would be useless to blink at the fact that London probably is in for “ a heavy epidemic ” of small-pox and for a great expense in contending with it. Eight hundred and sixty-four cases have been reported since August 10th and 141 deaths—262 new cases in the last two weeks.