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35
Measles.
It will be seen that there is a reduced mortality compared
with the year 1898, but the fact cannot be overlooked that for
103 deaths to occur from a preventable disease is a subject
requiring urgent attention.
It is found that mortality from this disease is not generally
due to measles per se but to sequelae of the disease arising from
lack of care and attention in the convalescent stage of the illness—
measles being generally regarded lightly and as a necessary child's
ailment. With proper isolation, care and attention the prevalence
of measles is not only preventable but the disease should not be
fatal. The difficulties arising in connection with measles are that
in theearly stages it is hardly recognisable but is nevertheless highly
infectious and thus school-attendance becomes a fertile source of
contagion. During the year, two schools have been voluntarily
closed in consequence of its excessive prevalence amongst the
scholars, namely, Holden Street Board School and St. Mark's
School, Battersea Rise. In the former case the whole of the
infected class rooms, etc., were submitted to disinfection by the
staff of this Department, and in the latter case by the school
authorities.
From time to time efforts have been made by this Vestry,
supported by other sanitary authorities, to include Measles amongst
the notifiable infectious diseases under Section 55 of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, and again last May, in connection
with the Bill being promoted by the London County Council for
the amendment of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the
subject was urged by the Vestry, upon the recommendation
of the Health Committee.
In the absence of notification, it is practically impossible to
cope with the disease except by the periodical distribution of handbills
containing precautions, nor is it possible toascertain the extent