Before COVID-19... Smallpox (1893) Part One.
Before the outbreak of COVID-19 and the challenges of vaccination of that disease in 2021, the newspapers in the early years of the colony in Western Australia reported on the outbreaks of diseases such as smallpox, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria and whooping cough. By the 1930's vaccines had been developed but there were significant challenges in getting the population immunised against them.
In March 1893 there was an outbreak of smallpox in Perth. A tent encampment was established in Subiaco on the outskirts of the city and played an important part for those suspected of and who were diagnosed with the disease. Then later in 1893 the site became the Victoria Hospital for Infectious Diseases and then in 1938 until 1956, the Metropolitan Infectious Diseases Hospital. The story of the Infectious Disease Hospital was published in the Mirror newspaper in 1935 and copied below.
By late April 1893 the first patient had died. After the first outbreaks of smallpox the city opened centres for free vaccinations for both children and adults. The Western Mail on 22 April reported "On Tuesday morning, the Town Hall was opened to the general public for the purpose of free vaccination. Dr. Waylen, the Superintendent of Vaccination, with Dr. Elgee, was in attendance, and a huge number of persons presented themselves for vaccination. All the unvaccinated children, were vaccinated, and in addition to these, a goodly number of persons of different ages were vaccinated. The number dealt with exceeded three hundred..." (Western Mail, 22 April, 1893). The doctors were reported to vaccinate up to 700 people per day (Mirror, 2 February 1935).
A year after the outbreak in 1894 there was another reported case of smallpox. However, newspaper reports state the public should not panic as providing proper sanitary conditions and a well vaccinated population should prevent the disease from spreading. The article also tried to ease the concerns of anti-vaccinators to the ill effects of taking the vaccination (Inquirer and Commercial News, 16 March 1894).
The first article from the Mirror in 1935 provides a brief overview of the smallpox epidemic in 1893 and the development of the Victoria Hospital for Infectious Diseases.
The second article from Inquirer and Commercial News in 1894 is about the effective use of providing proper sanitary conditions and a well vaccinated population in the prevention of the spreading of disease from the previous year's outbreak.
The third article from the West Australian newspaper in 1893 provides advice on how to prevent smallpox from spreading.
These articles are from Trove, the database of national library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Mirror, 2 February 1935
INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL WAS BUILT IN 14 DAYS!
Makeshift Structure To Cope With Perth's Worst Smallpox Outbreak Interesting Peep Into the Past
How many people know how the much discussed Infectious Diseases Hospital came into being and why it was dumped out at Subiaco? Here's the story: —
The beginning of the West Subiaco Infectious Diseases Hospital was during the severe small pox epidemic in the early days of April, 1893. Perth Hospital or as it was then called the 'Colonial Hospital' was the scene of the outbreak.
It assumed alarming proportions and the authorities took active steps to prevent a spread of the disease. There was a quarantine station at Woodman's Point (still in existence), but transport there was bad (there were no motor amlyilances in those days). The Fremantle people objected to the patients being taken there, so, as a stand-by, a camp was formed at Mt. Eliza. The Local Board of Health consisted of the Mayor (Mr. Alec Forrest), Councillors N. Traylen, McKernan. J. Chipper, T. F. Quinlan, H. Williams, James and T. G. A. Molloy (the latter being the only one surviving). Dr. Scott, a clever practitioner, was health officer; Mr. Victor was Town Clerk Mr. Castilla (City Surveyor) and Mr. Smith, health inspector. The Central Board of Health consisted of Messrs. W. H. James and B. C. Wood with Dr. Waylen as president. When the epidemic came Mr. S. H. Parker and the secretary (Colonel Forbes) were ill.
One of the patients, a Miss Bogue, was living in a wooden house and Councillor Quinlan advocated setting fire to it. It was situated at the corner of Pier and Wellington streets. Another sufferer was a Mrs: Montague living in Buller Yard near Pier-street. The first patient was a Cingalese named Bryan who had arrived by the Saladin from Singapore, and was employed by a Miss Keogh, and being taken, ill he was sent to the Colonial Hospital (now the Perth Hospital) by Dr. Kenny (father of our Doctor Joe Kenny). Dr. Elgee was the doctor in charge of the Perth hospital, and the whole place was quarantined.
The first death was that of a Mrs. Montague, and the interment TOOK PLACE AT MIDNIGHT in the new cemetery — now Karrakatta. The coffin was tarred inside and out and filled with quicklime. The late Mr. Don Chipper carried out the arrangements and a policeman was there to see that burial, but a clergyman was not allowed to be at the graveside.
On April 22 there were 22 cases at the Subiaco encampment. Captain Crook, a native of England, and one of Perth's most popular society young men, succumbed to the disease. The late Dr. Haynes (uncle of Arthur Haynes) and Dr. Hitch vaccinated 700 people in one day.
Meanwhile Mr. Costello had started on plans and specifications for an infectious diseases hospital and a site was selected as it was then stated 'two miles from Subiaco.' It was to accommodate 14 to 16, patients and was to have double walls of galvanised iron, with jarrah frame and flooring, bathrooms, kitchen, matron's room, scullery and storeroom. A contract was let to the fate Mr. David Grey for £560 and the whole was completed and ready for occupation In 14 days. The furniture and fittings cost about £150.
The hospital was named the 'Victoria Hospital.' It was even then too small as at one time there were 35 patients at Subiaco. Later additions were of course made. Without a doubt the Infectious Diseases Hospital served a good purpose then. But the dirty, uncomfortable iron buildings have long outlived their usefulness.
Inquirer and Commercial News, 16 March 1894.
THE ALLEGED SMALL-POX CASE.
Should the case of the half-caste girl, now at the Subiaco Hospital, be one of small-pox, as some of our doctors believe it is, there is no need for a feeling of alarm. The events of last year are most unlikely to repeat themselves as experience has taught the authorities the right thing to do in such cases, and the measures of disinfection and precaution taken will doubtless be prompt and speedy.
Small-pox is, as most people know, an endemic disease in London and other cities, and they have hospitals for the especial accommodation of patients suffering from this malignant complaint. But no alarm or panic is created by the appearance of isolated cases of small-pox, because experience has shown that in a well-governed community from a sanitary point of view, and especially a well-vaccinated community, such as this should now be, there is little reason for any alarm.
It might certainly be suggested to the new arrivals who are coming in such numbers that they should make no delay in being vaccinated, in case they have not been submitted to that operation within recent times.
Of the efficacy of vaccination as a preventive there can be now no doubt in Perth, after the experience of last year; and the ill effects which the anti-vaccinationist so dreads, and of which he has so much in explanation of his opposition to Jenner's treatment, have certainly not made themselves apparent, nor are they likely to.
Of course, it is possible that human lymph may be occasionally unhealthy, but doctors are, as a rule, are scrupulously careful in obtaining vaccine from the healthiest subjects. But, we repeat, there is no reason for alarm and scare, and it would be doing the colony obvious injury to indulge in it.
But the Health authorities should be alert and prompt in their measures of precaution, and the possibility of any spread of the complaint should be reduced to a minimum, as it can easily be. In regard to the cost of carrying out the details and looking after patients at the Subiaco Hospital, the task should not devolve upon the Health authorities of Perth, or, in other words, the City Council.
They have no more to do with it than they have with the sanitary precautions which are taken at the ports of the colony, or with the control of the Colonial Hospital, and they should promptly and formally repudiate all financial responsibility.
West Australian, 27 April 1893.
PERTH LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
THE PREVENTION OF SMALL-POX.
1. Small-pox is most loathsome and fatal, and the most contagious of diseases.
2. Before the introduction of vaccination, Small-pox killed 40,000 persons yearly in England.
3. Thorough vaccination in infancy is an almost complete protection against Small-pox.
4. Of unvaccinated people one out of every three attacked by Small-pox dies.
5. Of perfectly vaccinated persons only one dies out of every two hundred attacked by Small-pox.
6. Perfect vaccination is shown by the possession of four well-marked vaccine scars.
7. Vaccination is harmless and practically painless.
8. To ensure protection throughout life you should be revaccinated after the age of fifteen.
9. Every soldier and sailor is re-vaccinated; the result is that Small-pox is almost unknown in the army and navy, even amid surrounding epidemics.
10. You can be vaccinated free of charge at the Town Hall.
11. Should Small-pox break out at your house or among your neighbours, see at once to the vaccination of the household, and to the re-vaccination of all persons over 12 years of age, and at the same time inform the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. O'Connor, or the Inspector, Mr. C. H. Smith, at the City Council office.
12. Any Patient suffering from Small-pox should be removed to Hospital ; or, if kept at home, must have a separate room and nurse.
HOW TO PREVENT SMALL-POX FROM SPREADING.
Every person who has not been successfully re-vaccinated should be vaccinated again.
1. All needless Woollen and other Draperies should be removed from the room in which the Patient lies, and be immediately disinfected if the rash has appeared.
2. All Red and body linen should be plunged into water containing a disinfectant, IMMEDIATELY it is taken from the patient, and BEFORE it is removed from the room.
3. All glass was, cups, dec, used by the patient, should be carefully cleaned in boiling water, before being used by other persons.
4 Pocket handkerchiefs ought not to be used, but small pieces of rag, which should be burnt directly.
5. Nurses and others, whose hands come in contact with the patient, should wash them in water containing Universal Disinfecting Powder, or other disinfectants, using a pound of the powder to a gallon of water, and afterwards in plain soap and water. The nurse or other person in charge of the sick should not mix with the rest of the family, and should wear a dress made of some washing material.
6. The Sick Room should be kept well ventilated. The lower sash may be raised two or three inches, and a piece of wood be placed underneath it, so as to close the whole of the opening, and thus allow of ventilation above the meeting bar of the lower sash.
7. The Bed, Mattress, and Woollen articles, which have been used by; the Patient, or exposed to the infection, should be disinfected at the Disinfecting Apparatus belonging to the Sanitary Authority, or in some other effectual manner (as with burning sulphur) as soon as the patient is convalescent. Their removal to the disinfecting chamber, when such exists, is strongly advised.
To disinfect a room with the bedding and clothes, from a quarter, to half a pound of sulphur should be burnt others, the door, window, and chimney being closely shut. The sulphur should be put an earthern or tin plate, and placed over a vessel of water, in order to avoid the danger, of fire. It may be ignited by placing on it a live coal, and the room must then be closed, and left for five or six hours.
8. After the Patient, has recovered, and before mixing with the Family, he should take a bath, or be washed all over more than once with warm water and Carbolic Acid Soap, and should not leave the sick room until he has been informed by his Medical Attendant that there is no longer any risk of infection.
Nurses and children, Perth Public Hospital, Infectious Diseases Branch, Subiaco, 1919
Perth Public Hospital, Infectious Diseases Branch, Subiaco (formerly the Victoria Hospital), 1908.
