View report page

12
Scarlatina.-Of recent years there has been a marked decline
in the epidemic prevalence of Scarlatina, and also in the virulence of
the poison produced during the course of the disease, though in the
latter respect the decline has shown a slight check during the past
year. 787 cases occurred, causing 18 deaths, equivalent to an attackrate
of 2.46 per 1,000 population, a death-rate of .06 per 1,000, and a
case-mortality of 2.1 per cent. of persons attacked. The distribution
of the cases through the Borough was as follows:—Stratford, 125;
Forest Gate, 177; Plaistow, 334; Canning Town, 151. Of these
only 173 could be received into the Plaistow Hospital.
Measles and Whooping-cough.—Usually these diseases
are associated together in epidemic form, but during 1899 their
incidence was exceptional. Measles was epidemic in February and
March, and again prevalent in October, it caused 202 deaths, making
a death-rate of .70 per 1,000, a rate above the average of the last ten
years in West Ham, and one which was exceeded by only three of the
large towns. On the other hand, Whooping-cough caused 94 deaths,
equivalent to a death-rate of .32 per 1,000, which was considerably
below the average for the last ten years. Neither of these diseases
lend themselves, in my opinion, to profitable seclusion in hospital to
the same extent as is the case with the usually notifiable diseases ;
their prevention must be sought rather in the gradual education of the
masses as to the fatal character these diseases exhibit, the fact that
death is commonly caused by complications arising from ignorance or
carelessness, and the necessity for discarding the very popular notion
that Measles and Whooping-cough are inevitable accompaniments of
youth, of a character barely dissimilar from dentition.
Epidemics of Measles are mostly sudden in their onset and soon
produce a marked falling oft' in the attendances at one or more schools,
a fact generally brought to the notice of the Medical Officer of Health,
thereby enabling the Sanitary Authority to consider, among other
measures, the desirability of school closure as a means for preventing the
spread of the disease. This measure is of such a drastic character
that the most serious consideration should be given to it before
enforcing a course so calculated to interfere with education. There is,