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whole schools on account of outbreak of measles, the distributing-
of leaflets and posters, and the educating of
parents to regard measles as a serious and dangerous infectious
disease, and not as a trivial complaint of childhood.
Measles is not compulsorily notifiable, but 1,085 cases
(during 1913) were reported voluntarily (chiefly through
schools) to the Borough Council. Measles being chiefly a
"School Disease," this voluntary system of notification is
valuable.
Of the 1,085 notified cases, 222 (i.e., 20.5 per cent.) were
removed to hospital from the Borough, non-pauper as well
as pauper cases being now received for treatment and
isolation in hospital, under the new Metropolitan Asylums
(Measles) Order (August 9th).*
Measles is spread chiefly through Schools, especially Infants'
Departments, and during 1913 precautions were taken
in respect thereto in the way of exclusion of all known cases
of measles, and all "unprotected" children, i.e., those who
have not previously had an attack of the disease, therebv
securing the minimum interference with school attendance.
124 schools (Infants' Departments) were dealt with, representing
150 different class-rooms or grades, and a total
of 1,743 children, excluded for periods varying from a few
days to a few weeks on account of outbreaks of measles
in connection therewith (a total of 354 cases of measles);
whilst, in addition, three class-rooms in connection with 2
schools (infants' departments), were closed entirely. 7
schools were disinfected in connection with outbreaks of
measles.
W hooping Cough.†
Whooping cough became compulsorily notifiable on,
January 1st, 1913, and, during 1913, 1,428 cases were
• Of the 222 cases of Measles removed to Hospital, 4 proved at
Hospital not to be suffering from that disease.
†Thc Council, by Order on Oct. 3rd, 1912, made Whooping Cough
compulsorily notifiable by medical men and parent or relatives from
trial period of 5 years, commencing June 1st, 1913. The Order was
approved by the Local Government Board on Oct. 31st, 1912.