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Public Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925.
No action was taken during the year under the above-named
Regulations relating to tuberculous employees in the milk trade.
Measles.
Measles is not a notifiable disease in this Borough, and in
consequence the Public Health Department has to rely on the
co-operation of the Schools, Health Visitors, District Nurses and
other agencies for information as to the existence of this disease.
Measles generally occurs in epidemic form biennially, and
its prevalence was expected during the autumn and winter of 1927.
The disease commenced to manifest itself about the middle
of October, and continued in intensity to the end of the year.
In view of the dangerous complications which are liable to
follow neglected cases of measles, the women Sanitary Inspectors
visited all cases not removed to hospital for treatment, and
arranged where necessary for the attendance of a District Nurse.
The number of visits paid by these officers during the year totalled
296, and of this number 245 were made during the period October
to December.
It has been the custom for some years for a card containing
information of this disease, and the necessary steps to be taken by
parents, to be left by the Health Visitors at every house on the
first visit after a notification of a birth.
At the end of the year the L.C.C., at the request of the
Council of the Metropolitan Branch of the Society of Medical
Officers of Health, approved for distribution by the Head Teachers
of the elementary schools in the Borough of a measles warning
leaflet during the time of prevalence of this disease. The information
contained in the leaflet is as follows:—
BOROUGH OF CAMBERWELL.
Public Health Department,
35, Brunswick Square, S.E. 5.
MEASLES WARNING.
MEASLES has appeared in your neighbourhood, and there is a possibility that
the disease may become prevalent.
MEASLES is a highly infectious disease, especially in the early stages of illness
before the rash appears. The early symptoms are those of a cold, which may be at
first slight; there is generally running at the eyes and nose, sneezing and possibly a
dry cough, followed by a rash about the fourth day after the first appearance of
illness.
MEASLES SHOULD ALWAYS BE TREATED AS A SERIOUS DISEASE,
ESPECIALLY IN YOUNG CHILDREN. As soon as it is suspected the child
should be put to bed in a well ventilated room (as far as possible away from other
children) and be kept warm. A doctor should be called in at once, for many
children lose their lives, or suffer from ill-health for years as a result of the aftereffects
of the disease, mainly because the disease is neglected in the early stages.
The child should on no account be exposed to chill or draughts or allowed to run
about until the doctor or nurse gives consent.