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The deaths in each of the four quarters of the year were
as follows :—
First quarter 20
Second „ 55
Third „ 18
Fourth „ 14
The mortality from Measles in 1903, though lower than
the decennial average, was heavy, and as will be seen on
referring to Table X, the disease caused considerably
more deaths than all the notifiable diseases put together.
Unfortunately, the mortality does not tend to diminish. Many
deaths from Measles are really due to the serious pulmonary
affections, bronchitis and broncho-pneumonia, which often
complicate the disease, particularly in patients who are not
carefully nursed. There is a tendency in many quarters to
make light of Measles, and to treat it as a disease requiring
but little attention. This ignorance is undoubtedly the source
of many deaths.
On January 20th the London County Council made an
Order which had the effect of applying to Measles practically
all the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
relating to the prevention of infectious disease except notification.
This order came in force on April Ist. Early in the
year the Health Committee considered the question of
disinfection after Measles under the order, and it was at first
decided to disinfect only after special cases, but after
reconsideration it was decided to disinfect in all cases coming
to the knowledge of the Medical Officer of Health. Although
Measles is not a notifiable disease, a considerable number of
cases are reported to the Medical Officer by the head teachers
of elementary schools. Every case reported is now visited by
an inspector, who endeavours to secure such measures of
isolation as are possible. The following leaflet is handed to
the person responsible for the care of the patient:—
An important alteration in the law relating to Measles
has lately been made, the main provisions of which are set