Smallpox in children

Summary

• 1. Out of three hundred and sixty-five cases of smallpox in children, one hundred died giving a case fatality rate of 27.2 per cent. Out of one hundred deaths, thirty-six died within forty-eight hours.

• 2. In Bombay, the epidemic of smallpox occurs every third of fourth year. The incidence of the disease is less in children than in adults; but the mortality rate is higher among the former than the latter.

• 4. The incidence of the disease is greater; the disease occurs in a more severe form; and the mortality rate is higher among the non-vaccinated than in the vaccinated.

• 5. Seasonal rise is observed in the months of January, February, March and April.

• 6. Penicillin prevents disfigurement to a considerable extent.