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36
the preceding eight years has the mortality been less, namely, in 1886,
when only 64 deaths were registered.
The death-rate from 1871 to 1880 had been 0•52, while from 1885
to 1892 it was 0•63.
It will be noticed that as in previous years, so now, the mortality
was greatest in those districts of the Parish in which the people are
poorest and most crowded together. This is just what might be
expected, for Measles is a highly infectious disease, which is generally
spread by the inhalation of the disease germs that are given off in the
breath or the exhalations of the persons attacked. It is unfortunately
highly infectious in the stage preceding the eruption, when, as a rule, it is
not recognised by the guardians of the patients, who, in consequence, are
not prevented from mixing with other children. In Measles it is well
to isolate patients for a month; but, as a matter of fact, this course is
rarely, or never, adopted, for somehow it has got to be looked on as a
mild disease, which very seldom kills; and, indeed, patients are
frequently sent to school in a few days after convalescence. This is a
terribly dangerous practice, and is undoubtedly the means of unduly
spreading the infection.
It is not safe for children to return to school under one month, a
fact which, if widely known, would lead to their detention at home, and
would considerably lessen the number of cases and deaths, for then
much avoidable disease would be prevented.