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necessitous women residing in the Borough, under Rule 2 (3) of the
Central Midwives' Board, be approved, and that the Finance Committee
be asked to bring forward the necessary financial estimate for the
remainder of the current financial year. [Adopted.]
Maternity Nurse.
On the 18th July, 1917, the Borough Council resolved to make provision
for the attendance of a nurse in maternity cases where the assistance
is needed, and where the woman cannot afford to pay for it (L.G.B.
circular letter, 23rd September, 1916), at an expense not exceeding £120
per annum. An arrangement was accordingly entered into for the supply
of a properly qualified maternity nurse by the Ormond Home Association,
for such cases as the above, payment being made at a fixed rate for each
case attended. The arrangement terminated on the 81st March, 1918,
and the scheme for supplying a nurse was not renewed by the Council.
Measles caused 6 deaths in 1917, as compared with 5 in 1916, and
39 in 1915. The deaths were 1 under 1 year, 8 between 1 and 2 years,
and 2 between 2 and 5 vears.

Of the total measles cases notified 76 per cent. were children under
15 years of age, and of the Rubella cases 41 per cent. were under 15 years.
The case mortality of measles for the year (0.9 per cent. of the attacks
proving fatal, as against 1.2 in 1916), was again a low one, and shows that
the disease continues mild in type.
The woman sanitary inspector in the course of the year made 480
visits in connection with measles and German measles inquiries.
In accordance with the arrangement made with the Chelsea Nursing
Association 238 visits were made by the Association's nurses to 17 families
who had children ill with measles. The average number of visits per
family was 14, as against 13 in the previous year. Twenty-nine cases of
measles were removed from their homes to M.A.B. hospitals, and 20 cases
to the London Fever Hospital. Twenty-six cases of German measles were
removed to the London Fever Hospital.
During the year 99 cases of Scarlet Fever were notified in Chelsea, as
against 109 in 1916. There were no deaths from the disease; 85 per
cent. of the cases were removed to hospital. The disease was most
prevalent in the three autumn months—September, October, and
November—59 per cent. of the total cases occurring in those three months.
There was no special incidence on any particular school in the Borough.
The percentage of cases of school age (3 to 13 years) was 77, as against
75 in 1916.