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remains unsettled by the Vestry, and I take this opportunity
of again suggesting that the London County Council
should be urged to do so forthwith by the Vestry.* As to
the good that will accrue from so doing, there can, I think,
be no two opinions, when it is remembered that Measles is
a dangerous infectious disease in so far as it causes such a
large number of deaths (chiefly amongst young children),
though not yet so included under the Act. The whole
subject is an important one from the point of view of
Sanitary Administration; and it may be added that what
applies to Measles, applies, too, to Whooping Cough.
The importance of school or class-closure as a preventative
against the spreading of a Measles epidemic has been
well shewn during the year 1899 in the following cases:—
Lollard Street Board School, Infants' Department.—
Average number on roll 370, and of these 43.8% were
absent on account of Measles. The Infants' Department
was closed from July loth to August 28th, by order of the
Medical Officer of Health, rooms disinfected and cleansed,
and drains tested.
Result of closure was the diminution of the epidemic.
St. John's, Warham Street, Infants' Department.—
Average number on roll 320, and of these 29.1% were
absent on account of Measles. The Infants' Department
was closed from July 19th to August 28th, by order of the
Medical Officer of Health, rooms disinfected and cleansed,
and drains tested.
Result of closure was the dying-out of the epidemic.
*Whilst this Report is passing through the Press, the Vestry at their
meeting held on March 1st, 1900, decided that Measles should be included
in the term "dangerous infectious diseases," and that the London County
Council should be asked to take the necessary steps.