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severe and even fatal when unprotected adults are attacked. The
classical example of the Figi Islanders who were visited by
measles in 1874 for the first time, and in which about a quarter
of the total population perished, will always remain as a warning
to those who could banish measles from the British Isles.
I dread to think of the ravages of the disease were it introduced
here after an absence of fifty years.
Immunity from infectious disease may be natural or
acquired, and the former is only gained by natural selection or
survival of the fittest, a process which it takes untold ages to
accomplish. Acquired immunity can only be got by passing successfully
through an attack or by some form of vaccination or
inoculation. Now applying these priciples to measles I believe
that we have acquired a certain amount of racial immunity here,
which shows itself by epidemics not proving so fatal among us as
among races who have never had or have lost their immunity,
but we are little immune to attacks of the disease till we have
successfully passed through one, and this can take place if everyone
becomes infected at some period and carefully nursed
through the attack. There is no doubt some advantage in postponing
an attack till later childhood, for the disease is more
fatal in the first two years of life than later, and an endeavour
has been made in London to bring this about by closing infant
classes after the first case has occurred. It is doubtful, however,
whether this measure has had much influence in this direction,
for although this practice of exclusion has been in vogue now
some years, it is found that practically all the children in the
boys' and girls' departments are protected by previous attacks of
measles.
Enteric Fever.
13 cases of enteric fever were notified, being 8 for Bermondsey,
2 for Rotherhithe, and 3 for St. Olave. 2 cases were returned
as not suffering, making an actual total of 11. The total
number of cases notified in the previous year was 21.
Puerperal Fever.
2 cases of puerperal fever were notified. There were no
deaths from this disease during the year.
B