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Measles.—The normal biennial fluctuation was evident in
the number of cases notified during the year which fell from a
total of 925 in 1963 to 240, the figure for the current year. Of
the 240 cases, 115 were males and 125 females and only three
were over the age of 15 years.
Only three cases were removed to hospital and there were no
deaths recorded.
The distribution of the cases was as follows:—East Greenwich
88; West Greenwich 45; St. Nicholas, Deptford, 8; Charlton
and Kibrooke 99.
During 1962 there were 57 cases, in 1961 there were 1,820,
in 1960 there were 47, in 1959 there were 637, in 1958 there were
306 and during 1957, 1,194 cases were recorded.
Measles was a prevalent cause of death in children when the
Metropolitan Boroughs were first founded and, in Greenwich was
responsible for 52 deaths in 1901 and an even higher figure of 55
during 1907. The complaint, however, was not made notifiable
until 1st January, 1916, and during that year 1,378 cases were so
notified. Prior to 1916, information with regard to cases of
measles came to the department via the parents, guardians, school
teachers, etc. Notifications reached their highest in 1928 when
there were 2,934.
Much research has been carried out in recent years with
regard to the control of measles. New vaccines, free of the
undesirable reactions of the earlier types, have been developed
and under the control of the Medical Research Council, a limited
scheme for vaccination with a new vaccine was introduced during
the current year. Some 149 children were treated, the results of
which are to be assessed during the coming year.
Scarlet Fever.—A total of 52 confirmed cases for the year
shows an increase of 23 over that returned for 1963 as compared
with 33 notifications for 1962. There were 30 for 1961, 44 for
1960, 68 for 1959, 106 for 1958, 102 for 1957, 58 for 1956 and
57 for 1955.
One case was removed to hospital but no fatalities were
recorded.
Scarlet fever has been a persistent, but not often fatal, cause
of ill-health since 1901. The greatest number of notifications
received was during 1921 when the total reached 958 with 6
associated deaths. Today, the disease appears to be much milder
than hitherto but, as the average number of notifications over the
last 10 years indicates, viz., 58, the complaint is still responsible
for a regular amount of illness in the community.