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The number of cases reported to the teachers of elementary
schools does not by any means include all the children affected. Many
children were below school age, others attended private schools, many
failed to come to the knowledge of the attendance officers or health
visitors, and many occurred during times of school closure or vacation
when the information derived from school officials is no longer available.
It is probable, however, that the proportion of cases coming
under the observation of the public health department has not varied
widely within recent years, and it is therefore clear that there was a
much larger number of children infected with measles in 1908 than has
been the case in any other of the last five years. This fact is partly to
be explained by the comparative freedom of measles enjoyed by the
borough in 1906 and 1907, and the consequent growth of a large child
population unprotected by previous attack.
Though the information concerning attacks is incomplete, this does
not apply to the notification of deaths, and the study of the death
returns may therefore afford some useful information. From them it is
found that the seasonal prevalence was as follows:—First quarter, 38
deaths; second quarter, 36 deaths; third quarter, 7 deaths; and fourth
quarter, 11 deaths.
During the third and fourth quarters there were many weeks in
which no death occurred, and many parts of the town were apparently
free from the disease. It is this sudden rise and fall in the number of
cases, among other reasons, which renders the hospital treatment of
measles impracticable.