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57
Measles is not compulsorily notifiable, but, through
Schools, 1,616 cases (during 1909) were reported to the
Borough Council. Measles being chiefly a "School"
Disease, this voluntary system of notification is most desirable
(vide Appendix).
Of the 104 deaths from Measles in Lambeth Borough
during 1909, 100 (i.e., 96.2 per cent.) occurred amongst
children under 5 years of age, showing that Measles is a
disease of young children, and especially fatal to such. 21
of the deaths (i.e., 20.2 per cent.) occurred amongst infants
under 1 year of age.
During 1909 in the Borough of Lambeth disinfection has
been carried out in connection with 1601 Measles-infected
houses as compared with 1504, 1998, 836, 1970, 1294, 1346,
364, 728 and 941 during 1908, 1907, 1906, 1905, 1904,
1903, 1902, 1901 and 1900 respectively.
Measles is spread chiefly through Schools, especially Infants'
Departments' and during 1909 special precautions
have been taken in respect thereto in the way of (a) School
or Class Closure; or (b) Exclusion of all "Unprotected"
Children, i.e., those who have not previously had an attack
of the disease—the latter method securing the minimum interference
with School attendance, and being, therefore, a
useful alternative to School or Class Closure. In addition
all known cases of Measles are excluded as well as the
inmates of affected houses in accordance with the Code.
The details of the closure or exclusion during 1909 are as
follow:—
(a) School or Class Closure.
1. Walnut Tree Walk School.- The Infants' Department
(Classroom C) was closed from February 1st to
February 12th, 1909, on account of an outbreak of