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47
improper feeding, and defective powers of digestion accounted for the
remainder.
Measles.—This complaint was below the average in London until
the last quarter of the year. In Westminster, the number of cases
notified was 488, 150 and 165 being in the first and last quarters. The
greatest mortality was in the second quarter. There were 36 deaths, all
but 3 being of children under 5 years of age; 24 of the deaths occurred
in St. John's Ward. The death rate for the County was 0.40 per 1,000
of population, and for the City 0.22, the average rates for the preceding
five years beiug 0.45 and 0.14 respectively.
The schools affected are shown below: Millbank, with 92;
St. Mary, Hide Place, with 51 cases, being the most seriously invaded.
An outbreak in one school appeared to be due to infection being
communicated to children attending the out-patient department of a
hospital.
Fifty-five children were removed to the Metropolitan Asylums
Board's Hospitals for treatment
Seven hundred visits were paid by the women inspectors in cases
notified: advice is given verbally and printed instructions are left at
the house. Wherever necessary, the inspectors visit throughout the
illness, see that medical attendance is obtained, and that proper attention
is given to the cleanliness of the rooms, bedding, &c. Disinfection of
138 rooms in 133 houses, and of 1,093 articles, was carried out by the
Council's staff.
Whooping-Cough.—One hundred and ninety cases were notified,
45 in the first quarter, 91 in the second, 35 in the third, and 19 in the
last (for particulars as to schools see list below). There were 17 deaths
in the City of all children under five years of age. The death rate was
less than the average both in the County and Westminster. Nine cases
were removed for treatment by the Asylums Board.
Children suffering from whooping-cough are also visited by the
women inspectors.
Schools and Infectious Disease.
School teachers are required to notify the Medical Officer of Health
when they exclude children on account of infectious disease. The
following list shows how far this was carried out and the nature of the
cases notified:—