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89
NON-NOTIFIABLE DISEASES
Measles.
The number of cases of measles reported from various sources
in 1937 was 221. Twenty-three of these patients were removed
to hospital for treatment.
Every reported case was visited by a Health Visitor, and where
skilled nursing assistance was considered necessary the services
of the district nurse were offered, and in cases where the home
conditions did not allow of the patient being suitably nursed at
home, or in view of the severity of the illness, removal to hospital
provided the best means for treatment and recovery, arrangements
for hospital treatment were made.
Measles occurs in epidemic form in London regularly every
two years and the biennial epidemic was expected at the end of the
year under review. During the term of the epidemic which usually
lasts for a period of three to five months, control measures are
applied in co-operation with the L.C.C. Education Authority. This
control scheme was put into operation at the end of December last.
Whooping Cough.
Whooping cough, like measles, is a universal disease. It is
extremely fatal among young children. Complications and sequelae
frequently occur.
The number of cases that came to the knowledge of the Health
Department during the year was 437. This number probably
only accounts for a small percentage of actual cases as many
patients are not seen by a doctor unless some complication occurs
and even when seen the characteristic whoop may not be present
in some cases and consequently a diagnosis of whooping cough is
not made.
The deaths from this cause numbered 17.

Diarrhoea and Enteritis.
During the year, 39 deaths of children under two years of age
were certified to be due to diarrhoea and enteritis as compared
with 32 in 1936.