View report page

65
Erysipelas.—33 cases of this disease were notified during
the year as compared with 31 in 1933.
Meningococcal Meningitis.—Two cases were notified during
the year, and one of these terminated fatally.
Measles.—Epidemics of Measles occur about every two years
in London, and as the last epidemic took place in 1932, the increase
in prevalence of this disease, which had been expected, occurred
during the first six months of the year.
At the end of 1929 a scheme of control was drawn up, with the
approval of the London County Council, and the several Metropolitan
Borough Councils, with the object of reducing the mortality
and mitigating the complications associated with Measles epidemics
by the prompt removal of cases to an infectious disease hospital
or by nursing assistance in the home, according to circumstances.
The scheme of control depends for its success in the close
co-operation between the school organisation and the local Public
Health staff in securing the earliest possible information of cases ;
educating the parents to realise that Measles is a dangerous disease
by means of advice leaflets ; and by prompt removal to hospital of
those children suffering from complications and those living in
overcrowded and insanitary conditions.
Measles is not notifiable in this borough, and information as
to cases depends on reports from the schools, parents, Health Visitors
and Sanitary Inspectors. The Health Visitors follow up Measles
cases in order to ascertain if adequate medical and nursing provision
is made and to arrange for nursing assistance or removal to hospital
in accordance with the scheme providing additional beds in infectious
disease hospitals for cases of Measles.
The number of cases of Measles reported to the Public Health
Department during the year was 374, of whom 25 were removed
to isolation hospitals for treatment. There were 4 deaths from
this disease as compared with no deaths last year and 11 deaths
during the epidemic of the year 1932.
Whooping Cough.—This disease is not notifiable in the
borough and information as to its prevalence comes to the knowledge
of the Department through the same sources as Measles.