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46
MEASLES.
Three swabs only were received for bacteriological examination (to determine the presence
or absence of the gonococcus), all proving "negative." In 1 case there was a history of
maternal discharge during pregnancy and in another of syphilis (the mother being admitted
to the Lying-in Wards from the Lock Hospital). Two of the affected children died, 1
at the age of one week (from premature birth) and the other at the age of two months
(from congenital syphilis). In 12 instances the District Nurses were sent to assist in the
treatment of the eyes, which were under the care of hospitals in 9 instances. All the
children, other than the 2 reported as dying, recovered without damage to the eyes.
The incubation period of the disease, and consequently the interval between the onset
and notification, were not known in 3 cases. Of the remaining 19 attacks, 2 were reported
as commencing on the day of birth, or as congenital, and 12 as beginning within the first 7
days after birth. The longest period of incubation was 14 days (1 case). Half the cases
were reported within 7 days of the commencement of the disease, 5 within 7 and 14 days,
and 3 at intervals of 15, 24, and 30 days (1 case each). Inasmuch as no damage accrued
to the patients' eyes, the delay, indicated by the above figures, which took place in securing
treatment was productive of no ill-effects. Nevertheless, it was risky and to be regretted.
MEASLES.
As explained in former reports, the Department draws the greatest part of its knowledge
of the prevalence of this disease* from the "Forms 84" sent in by the teachers of the public
elementary schools on the exclusion of children arising from the occurrence of the disease in
their homes. Supplementary information is obtained by enquiries after the registration of
deaths certified as due to measles, broncho-pneumonia, and certain other diseases, on requests
for disinfection made by medical practitioners or heads of households, through the discovery of
cases in the course of other work, and, in a few cases, by the disease being reported by medical
practitioners and heads of households. The main source of information is withdrawn when the
public elementary schools are closed, and for that reason it is unsafe to attempt any minute
study of the seasonal distribution of attacks.
According to the weekly tabulation of cases coming to the knowledge of the Department
during the year, there were 1,234 cases of measles (including "German measles," which disease
for administrative purposes is held to be "measles"), but a more accurate analysis at the close
of the year gave a total of 1,230 cases of measles and 10 of German measles. The quarterly
and annual totals derived from the weekly tabulation during the past six years are given below,
together with the corrected annual totals :—

The first thought that will arise on looking at the figures is the apparent excessive
prevalence of the disease during the past four years.
* The observations here made with respect to measles apply equally to whooping cough, chicken-pox, and
other "minor" diseases which are not scheduled for notification.