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51
measures being taken as in the case of the notifiable
diseases is apparent, and the Medical Officer suggested to
the Vestry the advisability of including Measles amongst the
dangerous and infectious diseases for the purposes set forth
in certain sections of the Public Health (London) Act.
1891*—compulsory notification not being advised for the
present for the reasons given in the 1896 Annual Report
{vide p. 48). The Vestry decided to distribute from house
to house a leaflet pointing out the after-effects of Measles
if not properly attended to. The leaflet was drawn up by
the Medical Officer, and 51,175 copies were distributed to
the different (separate) families in the houses throughout
the Parishf (taking 134 days), at a total cost of^30 14s. 2d.
for printing, and £30 0s. lOd. for distribution. From the
numbers of enquiries made, the distributing of these leaflets
has done much good in preparing the way for the future
adoption of the necessary precautions advised by the
Medical Officer, and contained in the sections of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, referring to dangerous, infectious
diseases. A copy of the leaflet is printed in the
Appendix to this Report (vide p. 21).
The part played by schools in disseminating Measles,
and the value of school—(or, at least class—) closure, in
checking such spread, have been again shewn during 1898,
by the following cases :—
Wesley an Day Schools, Eden Road, West Norwood.—
Number on roll, 238, and of these 22 °/Q were absent on
account of Measles. School was closed from April 6th to
•Sections 60-66, 68-70, 72-74, dealing with exposing infected persons or
clothing in the public streets, disinfection of infected houses and bedding, etc.,
letting of infected houses or rooms, removal of infected persons to hospital,
etc., etc.
fTwo men were engaged in distributing, and received 26s. per week each,
or 4s. 6d. per odd days.
d 2