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125
infectious to others in the class, and it is often possible in this
way to limit the outbreak to the first crop of cases for the time
being.
Numerous alterations have from time to time been made by
the Education Authority in London in regard to the regulations
for the exclusion of children from Schools in, connection with outbreaks
of Measles. It cannot be said that satisfactory results
have followed in diminishing the incidence of the disease. This
is not a matter for surprise, as the value of such Regulations is
largely dependent on the statements of parents. It cannot be
expected that a very high power of diagnostic ability can be
shown by mothers, and it must frequently be the case that even
with the best intentions erroneous information is conveyed to the
School Authorities in this connection. The one and only
practicable step in my opinion has been persistently ignored, viz.,
the closure of the Infants' Departments of the Public Elementary
Schools and exclusion of children from the Schools up to the
age of six years.
Disinfection.
A good deal of controversy has centred round the efficacy
of disinfection. In the absence of any reliable evidence of the
spread of Measles by fomites it is open to question whether disinfection
of itself is of much use. In. Battersea it has been the
custom to carry out disinfection of the infected room, but not to
remove the clothing, bedding, &c., as a routine practice, for
stoving. The main advantage in continuing the practice is that
it possesses some educational value and fixes in the minds of
those whose rooms are being disinfected greater regard to the
seriousness of the disease. Furthermore, it is a means of
securing increased cleanliness of rooms, houses, &c., a matter
frequently of obvious necessity and usefulness.
What is being Done.
At the present time the methods carried out in the Borough
for dealing with Measles are :—
1. Visitation of the home of the patient for purposes of
inquiry.
2. Giving of oral and printed advice as to nature of disease
and precautions to be taken.
3. Removal of patient to hospital where such is desirable
and practicable.
4. Disinfection after removal to hospital or recovery of
patient if treated at home.