London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1904

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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from such attendance. Dr. Kerr reports that during the year ending March, 1905, 71 class-rooms
and 14 departments were closed on account of measles in the provided schools, and one class-room
and ten departments in the non-provided schools. All of these, except one in the Junior Mixed department,
were in the Infants' departments. The system of observation of the behaviour of measles in
schools in one group of which closure was practised and in the other group the schools remained
open, was continued in Woolwich, the borough being divided into two districts for this purpose.
Dr. Thomas, who has on behalf of the County Council studied the behaviour of measles
in Woolwich under these conditions, states that the experience hitherto gained seems to justify the
conclusion that " if children under five were excluded from school, closure for measles would not be
necessary for some time in London, except in one or two special districts; if, however, this were successful
in postponing attacks,the question would again become acute in a few years"; and again, "To effect
any useful purpose, school closure must take place before the' first crop ' falls. The old practice of waiting
until the attendance fell to a certain limit was useless in arresting the spread of measles and did absolutely
no good." Apart from school closure, Dr. Thomas regards the provision of sanitary buildings and
training of teachers as two. factors which " probably have the greatest effect of all in determining the
extent of spread of an outbreak." He regrets the withdrawal by the Board of Education of Article 101, for
the reason that the " average attendance " which determines the grant is affected by the closure of a class
but not of a whole department, and he states that: "We thus have great difficulty in carrying out our
measures, as much opposition is often encountered to the necessary closing of a single class, while the
unnecessary closure of a whole department is gladly borne or even welcomed." See Appendix III.

By direction of the Public Health Committee, inquiry was made in the early part of 1905 as to the steps taken by London sanitary authorities in connection with the disinfection of premises, and of bedding, clothing, etc., after occurrence of measles, and also as to the steps taken to impress people with the need of taking precautions as to measles. The replies of medical officers of health are embodied in the following tabular statement:-

Sanitary areas.Is disinfection of infected premises carried out after all cages of measles which come to the knowledge of your authority ?Is disinfection of infected bedding, clothing, etc., carried out after all cases of measles which come to the knowledge of your authority?Has your authority taken any steps in the way of distribution of leaflets or otherwise with a view to impressing upon people the importance of taking precautions as to measles ?
PaddingtonYesYesYes
KensingtonYes, (in a few instances objected to by occupiers)Yes, in infected roomsOnly by posting at work, shops L.C.C. posters
HammersmithYesYesNo
FulhamYesYesYes
ChelseaNo. Only at request of occupierNo. Only at request of occupierLady inspector has visited over 200 premises where
measles existed
Westminster, City ofNo reply received--
St. MaryleboneNot in all cases, but in a good manyNot in all cases, but in a good manyNo
HampsteadNo. In majority of casesAs far as possibleYes
St. PancrasNot in all cases, only when requested and permittedNot in all cases, only when requested and permittedYes
IslingtonNo. Often do not hear of cases until after children are wellNoYes
Stoke NewingtonNoNoYes, leaflets
HackneyYes, after most casesYes, after most casesYes
HolbornYes, with few exceptions, illness of mother, etc.Yes, except where dis infection is carried out to the satisfaction of the doctorNow under consideration
Fins buryYesYesYes, by card for distribution
London, City ofYesYesNo
ShoreditchYes, in most instancesYes, in most instancesYes
Bethnal-greenYes, with consent of occupantsYes, with consent of occupantsNo
StepneyOnly in cases which are early reportedOnly in cases which are early reportedYes
PoplarYesYesNo, sanitary inspector calls and leaves papers as in ordinary notifications
SouthwarkYes, in all cases where termination of cases becomes knownYes; in all cases where termination of cases becomes knownYes, leaflets and posters
BermondseyYes, as far as possibleYes; as far as possibleDistribution of leaflets contemplated
LambethYesYesYes, leaflets
BatterseaYesBedding, etc.,- is not removed, but disinfected in the homeLeaflet left at infected house and special districts where measles is prevalent
WandsworthYesNoNo
CamberwellYesYesNot since 1900
DeptfordYesYesYes
GreenwichYes (exceptions in special circumstances)Yes (exceptions in special circumstances)Yes
LewishamYes, only in small number of oasesYesYes, leaflets
WoolwichNoNo, only on applicationYes, two kinds of leaflets