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10
the Act, in order that it might be dealt with in the same
manner as the other notifiable infectious diseases. Your
Vestry, I much regret, refused to adopt the advice of the
Committee. I beg to point out to you that of the whole
10 diseases that are by law declared to be dangerous
infectious diseases there were in the parish last year 57
deaths, whereas the deaths from measles alone were 128,
or more than twice as many deaths from measles as from
all the other 10 notifiable infectious diseases put together.
Judging from the total number of deaths, measles
as, as compared with the population, by far the most fatal
infectious disease. I had the opportunity of seeing many
cases of measles last year, and I have no hesitation
in stating that some of the illnesses were as serious
as ordinary cases of smallpox. I saw patients with
the whole surfaces of their bodies swollen. I sent
one case into a General Hospital, and I am informed
that consultations were held by members of the staff, and
that for several days they weie of opinion that the patient
was suffering from smallpox. It appears to me that it
is in the highest degree desirable that something should be
done with the object of preventing so large a sacrifice of
human life, and affliction that is caused to so many
families.
From what I have observed of the great progress of
sanitation during the last 22 years, 1 have not the slightest
doubt that the notification of measles will be eventually
enforced.
In London last year there were 3069 deaths registered
from this disease. Is it likely that society will continue
to be satisfied with so great a sacrifice of human life, with
practically no efficient means being adopted by the Public
Health Authorities to prevent it? I think not. I remember
in the year 1877, when there were 2544 deaths from
smallpox in London, when there was no notification of the
disease and comparatively nothing was being done to
prevent the disease spreading, I got Sir Charles Dilke to
bring the questions before the House of Commons, and to