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lightly regarded, a great saving of child life would be effected. During
the fourteen years above referred to, 1901-1914, it will be seen that 145
deaths occurred from measles. The total deaths from Scarlet Fever
during the same period only amounted to 52. The mortality from
measles should not strictly be limited to those who die at or immediately
after the disease. Measles is a frequent fore-runner of Tuberculosis,
and endeavours are made by this Department to get all children
who have had measles to visit the Tuberculosis Dispensary within three
months of the attack, so that anything like commencing Tuberculosis
may be detected. Of the cases that come to my knowledge and arc
visited by the Council's lady inspectors, about 24 per cent are found not
being medically attended.
The leaflet issued by the Council has been distributed during the
year. The chief objects of the leaflet are to bring home to people the
necessity for not regarding measles merely as a trivial ailment, and for
taking due precautions for the prevention of the spread of the disease.
Whooping Cough.
Sixteen deaths occurred from whooping cough, as against 10 in
1913. The mortality per 1000 population was 0.18. Like measles,
whooping cough tends to become complicated by pneumonia, and the
patients require to be carefully looked after, but unfortunately it is
popularly regarded as a disease of slight importance. As in the case
of measles, however, the total number of deaths from this disease
(which chiefly occurs among young children) during the period 19011914
was 155: this greatly exceeds those that were due to Scarlet
Fever, which only amounted to 52. The necessity for not lightly
regarding cases of whooping cough is urged strongly in the leaflet that
the Borough Council publish.
The total number of visits paid to cases of whooping cough during
1914 by the two lady inspectors was 228.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board now provide hospital treatment
for suitable cases of whooping cough that are recommended by the
Medical Officer of Health. The number of Hampstead patients removed
to the Board's Hospitals during the year amounted to 32.