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54
Whooping Cough.*
Whooping cough became compulsorily notifiable on January
1st, 1913, and, during 1914, 1,389 cases were notified. 40 of the
total 1,389 cases notified died [i.e., 2.9 per cent.).
Whooping Cough is a serious disease, especially to young
children. Of the 40 deaths registered in the Borough during
1914 from this disease, 38 (i.e., 95 per cent.) occurred in children
under 5 years of age, and 17 of the deaths (i.e., 42.5 per cent.)
occurred amongst infants under 1 year of age. It is, therefore, a
disease of childhotxl, and its prevention is being systematically
attempted, chiefly in the way of compulsory notification of the
cases, disinfection of W hooping Cough.infected houses, exclusion
from school of children (both infected and from infected houses),!
and the educating of parents up to the dangerous nature of the
disease and the importance of careful nursing of the patients when
suffering from this complaint. Further powers should be given
to Sanitary Authorities to exclude from attendance at School all
children from Whooping Cough.infected houses and all children
under 5 years of age, whether living in Whooping Cough.infected
houses or not. Unfortunately, Whooping Cough, like Measles,
is, at present, regarded as a harmless complaint of childhood, and
the ignorance displayed and the apathy shown are well known to
all who visit amongst the poorer classes. It is hoped that, by
making the disease compulsorily notifiable, attention will be drawn
to its serious nature, and the need that exists for taking precautionary
measures in regard thereto.
Of the 1,389 cases of Whooping Cough notified during 1914,
52 (i.e., 3 7 per cent.) were removed to hospital, non.pauper as well
as pauper cases being received for treatment and isloation in hospital,
under the new Metropolitan Asylums (Whooping Cough) Order,
1912 (August 9th). The small percentage was due to the Order
being temporarily suspended, the beds being required for Scarlet
Fever cases. 581 cases of the disease, in addition, were voluntarily
notified through schools.
Leaflets (dealing with the dangers and treatment of the disease)
were left at all notified whooping cough.infected houses.
During 1914 no classroom was closed, and no school nor classroom
was required to be disinfected on account of an outbreak of
whooping cough.
* The Council, by Order, on October 3rd, 1912, made Whooping Cough
compulsorily notifiable by medical men and parent or relatives from trial
period of 5 years, commencing January 1st, 1913. The Order was approved
by the Local Government Board on October 31st, 1912.
† "Unprotected" children only are excluded from Schools by the
L.C.C. instructions, issued by their Educational Department.