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33
Measles. The number of cases which occurred during the
earlier months of 1896 cannot be ascertained, as this,
the most fatal of all zymotic diseases, still remains non-notifiable.
The number of fatal cases became so grave that I was directed
to re-issue a bill giving the public instructions as to the necessary
precautions to be observed during an epidemic of this disease,
and they are here appended. One hundred and eighty-five fatal
cases were recorded during the year, the number during 1894
having been one hundred and fifty-one, and during 1895
ninety-nine.
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 symptons 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 symptons 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.
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