View report page

Prophylaxis of Measles.
It is generally agreed that the method of control of epidemics
of measles in the future rests on the discovery of an animal serum
which will produce a more or less permanent immunity. The use of
the serum from convalescent measles patients has this disadvantage
that the immunity lasts not longer than a few weeks.
This protection is, therefore, not of much value during an
epidemic when contact with the disease is of frequent occurrence.
Partial protection can be obtained if convalescent serum is injected
between the sixth and ninth days of incubation.
The patient thus treated suffers a mild attack of measles with
a resulting permanent active immunity.
It would seem that the place of convalescent serum in the
prophylaxis of measles is to prevent a serious attack of the disease.
Supplies of convalescent serum at present available are extremely
limited, and during the epidemic there was no demand made on
the Public Health Department for its use.
Whooping Cough.
During the year, 471 cases of whooping cough came to the
knowledge of the department through the agency of the School
Medical Service, and were visited by the women Sanitary Inspectors.
Ninety-one of these cases were removed to hospital for treatment.
The number of deaths registered from this cause was 18, as
compared with 11 in 1931.