View report page

55
MEASLES; A "DANGEROUS INFECTIOUS DISEASE."
In 1898 the Public Health Committee of the County Council
having received from the School Board for London a communication
urging the desirability of including measles in the term " dangerous
infectious disease," expressed a desire " before coming to any decision
in the matter" to "learn the views of the London Sanitary
Authorities," and to be informed if they " would be in favour of the
extension to measles of the provisions contained in the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, relating to notification, etc., of infectious
disease."
The replies of the Vestries, etc., having shown a " considerable
divergence of opinion," the matter fell through, but in a further
communication, in 1900, the same Committee thought it desirable to
consult the Councils of the Metropolitan Boroughs " with a view to
ascertain whether they were in favour of the extension to measles
of the provisions contained in any or all of certain sections of the
Act, it being expressly observed that " these sections do not relate
to the question of notification."
It is to be presumed that the general trend of the replies was
favourable to the proposal, as the County Council have made an
Order (which, having been approved by the Local Government
Board, came into force on the Ist April), that the sections of the
Act, cited below, with respect to dangerous infectious diseases, shall
apply in the Administrative County to measles.
The Order has been advertised and a copy sent to each medical
man residing or practising in London, in accordance with the
requirements of section 56.
The following sections are now applicable to measles in common
with other dangerous infectious diseases : —
Section 62 relates to infections rubbish cast into ashpits without
previous disinfection.
Section 63 relates to the letting of a bouse or paw of a house in
which infected persons have been residing, without having the house
or room and infected articles therein disinfected.
Section 64 relates to the letting for hire or showing for that
purpose any house or part of a house, and the making of false statements
as to the fact of there being, or within six weeks previously
having been, therein, any person suffering from any dangerous
infectious disease.
Section 65 relates to a person ceasing to occupy a house in which
any person has within six weeks previously been suffering from any