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85
Measles.
Measles and German measles have been notifiable diseases
(limited to the first case in the family within two months) in
Lambeth since 1st January, 1916. In consequence few cases are
now reported from schools of which information has not already
been received from medical practitioners or parents. All cases can
therefore be visited early in the course of the disease with the object
of insuring that nursing facilities are provided through the district
nursing associations, and extra nourishment, either through the
Maternity and Child Welfare scheme or the Public Assistance, if
required. Were information received informally through schools
and other sources and not by notification, some delay at the onset
of the disease would be unavoidable. Actually, the first intimation
of 35 cases only was received from schools, the information of the
remaining 3,628 cases which occurred during the epidemic coming
to hand through notification prior to the reception of the school
notices. Notification has undoubtedly impressed parents with the
serious nature of the disease on the one hand, and on the other
has given earlier and therefore more effective opportunity for the
supervision of treatment.
Outbreaks in St. Thomas's Hospital, King's College Hospital,
and the Royal Waterloo Hospital were prevented by prophylaxis
with measles serum supplied through the County Council.
An outbreak among the nurses and children of the St. Thomas's
Babies' Hostel afforded striking proof of the efficacy of measles
serum to render a measles attack comparatively harmless.
Dr. A. Boyne Bell, who is the physician in charge of the Hostel,
writes :—
"The first case of measles, before serum was given, occurred in a
normal baby of six months, and she had an attack of moderate
severity, losing weight markedly. Happily, recovery was eventually
complete and without complication. The second case occurred
after administration of serum, in a premature and underweight
baby who was doing well. He developed a profuse rash, but seemed
quite undisturbed by his illness and gained 12 ounces in weight
during the fortnight of his attack. Further cases occurred among
the children over one year in the lower ward, but none of them