View report page

48
years, there have been registered 1,570 deaths from measles, as
compared with 2,551 deaths from all the notifiable infectious
diseases. Measles is, therefore, a dangerous infectious disease,
though not so included, as yet, in the Public Health (London) Act,
1891.
The Prevention sections of the Act are, 60-66, 68-70, 72-74.
By virtue of thes sections, the Vestry's officer's would have
authority to prevent children suffering from Measles from exposing
themselves, or from being exposed in the public streets, in
omnibuses and tramcars, at school, etc., and the power to fumigate
with sulphur infected rooms, and to steam-disinfect infected
bedding and clothes; whilst parents would become educated to
look upon this disease as requiring proper isolation and care to
prevent its spread, and the development of its very serious aftereffects,
if not death, which are apt to ensue. The prevention
sections of the Act do not include the notification of the disease.
As the inclusion of Measles within the term "dangerous Infectious
Diseases" would not involve any, or but little, additional
cost to the ratepayers, I advise the Vestry to approve of such
being done, as there is no question but that much good would
result.
Joseph Priestley,
19th February, 1900. Medical Officer of Health.
The Vestry recommended on the above report: —
(i) That Measles be placed within the category of
ous infectious diseases," but that notification be not
made compulsory.
(ii) That intimation to this effect be made to the Vestry
of Battersea, and also to the London County Council.