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36
Measles.
During 1915, 1,880 cases of measles were notified voluntarily
through schools or otherwise—774 in the first quarter, 832 in the
second, 205 in the third, and 69 in the fourth, and 91 deaths were
registered from the same disease. The 1,880 cases occurred in 1,612
infected houses.
73 schools (infants' departments) were dealt with, representing
80 different class rooms or grades, and a total of 1,056 children
excluded for periods varying from a few days to a few weeks on
account of outbreaks of the disease in connection therewith (a total
of 146 cases of measles).
An Order, dated November 27th, 1915, entitled the Public
Health (Measles and German Measles) Regulations, 1915, has been
issued by the Local Government Board, making measles and German
measles compulsorily notifiable on and after January 1st, 1916.
The notification is dual by (1) medical man in attendance and (2)
parents, guardians and other persons in charge of the patients.
Diarrhœa.
During 1915, there has been a marked decrease in the number
of deaths from diarrhoea—124, as compared with yearly averages of
191.6, 219.4, 208.6, 140.2 and 178.2 during the five quinquennia
1891-1895, 1896-1900, 1901-1905, 1906-1910 and 1911-1915, respectively.
Of the 124 deaths registered during 1915, 112, i.e., 90.3 per
cent. occurred amongst children under 5 years of age and 87, i.e.,
70.2 amongst infants under 1 year of age.
The 4 ft. earth thermometer first registered 56° F. on June 9th,
rising to a maximum of 61° F. on August 14th, and remaining at
such maximum until August 23rd, and sinking to 56° F. again on
October 13th. The readings of the 4 ft. earth thermometer were
taken in Regent's Park, and the information was obtained through
the courtesy of the the Secretary of the Royal Botanical Society.
20 deaths (11 in infants under 1 year of age) were registered
during 1915 from enteritis.
Practical measures were again taken to prevent epidemic
diarrhœa (and other diseases) in infants and to promote hygienic
conditions in their feeding and environment, as follows:—
(a) Visiting of houses wherein births were notified under the
Notification of Births Act, 1907, or wherein deaths were
registered as having occurred from epidemic diarrhoea;
(b) Teaching of proper feeding and care and management of
infants by the Council's officers at the Infants' Consultations
held at 66, York Road;