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29
PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED
during the
EPIDEMIC OF MEASLES.
The Vestry, as the Sanitary Authority for the Parish,
and as advised by the Medical Officer of Health, desire to
direct the attention of parents and others to the importance
of checking the spread of Measles, which is now prevalent in
an epidemic form and is causing much mortality by complications,
such as Bronchitis and Pneumonia.
All children suffering from Measles, even in the earliest
stage, before the eruption appears, should be isolated from
others. The first symptoms of Measles are running at the
eyes and nose, with repeated sneezing and a puffy appearance
of the face and eyelids and, a few days after, the appearance
of the rash which is raised and red or purplish in colour.
The child should be kept in bed from the first appearance
of the symptoms until the rash has finally disappeared,
in order to avoid the danger of lung complications which are
the real causes of death, uncomplicated measles not being
usually fatal. Medical aid should be sought in every case
where difficulty of breathing is observed.
Disinfectants in a dilute form should be freely used in
every case of measles in a warm bath at the onset and termination
of the disease, and to sponge the face and other
parts during the illness.
In case of inability to obtain suitable disinfectants the same
will be supplied, free of charge, on application to the Vestry's
Sanitary Department, Town Hall Road, Lavender Hill.
The epidemic declined during the summer months, but was
accompanied and followed by deaths from whooping cough and
other respiratory disorders.