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It will be noticed that there are similar variations in the figures
and that the order in which the various wards appear is on the whole
similar to that for 1908. The satisfactory position of the Upper
Norwood Sub-division is to be explained by the isolation of this
district, and as a consequence freedom from epidemic diseases for
comparatively long intervals of time. Under such conditions the
attacks of measles are postponed until the children are able to resist
the disease.
SOCIAL STATUS AND MEASLES.— In 1908 it is noteworthy
that 9 deaths occurred in larger houses compared with 83 deaths in
smaller houses, or approximately one death in a large house to
every nine in a small house.
As the number of children living in large houses is about in the
proportion of one to two-and-a-half living in smaller houses, it is evident
that the mortality is very much higher among the poorer section of the
community. This fact has even been more noticeable in former years.
Thus, during the six years 1902-7, there were only three deaths in
larger houses as compared with 184 in smaller houses. The fact that
measles was not only more prevalent in 1908 but also accounted for a
larger number of deaths among children living under comparatively
favourable conditions, points to the severity of the epidemic.
The reason why measles is so much more fatal among children
living in smaller houses requires further investigation. Personally I
believe it to be the resultant of two factors. First, that the poorer
children live under less hygienic conditions. Under these circumstances
an attack of measles is likely to be accompanied from the very
onset by pulmonary complications, for the simple reason that the germs