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conditions are bad, treatment is better there. Therefore, during epidemics cases are selected
for institutional treatment rather on account of home conditions than the gravity of the
attack of illness.
An analysis of the age distribution demonstrates that Measles is most common between
one and five years. It is not frequent in infancy and comparatively uncommon in adult life.
In epidemic years the mortality rate is very high in infancy.
The expected increase in the incidence of Measles occurred in 1934. The following
tables and graph give the details. 3,638 cases came to notice by notifications or through
visiting. St. Pancras is one of the few Local Authorities which have made Measles and
German Measles notifiable. Because of these measures and the routine "following up " we
are able to maintain a strict supervision over the great majority of cases in the Borough.
Every case which comes to the notice of this Department in the various ways indicated
above, or through the School Authorities, is visited by a Health Visitor. Her visit has a
double value. It gives her an introduction into many new families and enables her to
spread the teaching of the rules of good health. She also is able to give the mother advice
and help as regards the patient. Where actual nursing seems necessary for the case, this is
arranged for by the Health Visitor and carried out by the staffs of the several nursing
associations. Details of how this work is done under a Block Grant from the Borough
Council is reported on page 37. Where a medical practitioner is in attendance a card is left
for him, suggesting that, if he agrees that the circumstances show the desirability of a visiting
nurse, this will be carried out under his instructions on receipt of the card duly signed. It
is surprising how frequently doctors omit to take advantage of this very useful service.
German Measles is not common, and generally is a mild disease. There were 191 cases
during the year 1934, as compared with 486 cases during 1933. There were no deaths. It
was a very mild illness with a rapid recovery.