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58
Since 1903, measles has been included among the dangerous
infectious diseases, to which sections 60-65, 68-70 and 72-74 of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1891, apply. These sections extend the
provisions relating to isolation and disinfection to measles, but they do
not make the disease compulsorily notifiable.
But although measles is not a notifiable disease, many cases are
reported by school teachers, parents and others. During the year l913,
276 cases were reported, as compared with 429 in 1912
The Metropolitan Asylums Board now receive into their hospitals
cases of measles on the recommendation of the Medical Officer of
Health. who is required to furnish the Hoard with certain, particulars
regarding the case. Hospital treatment for measles on any practicable
scale cannot be expected to exercise much effect in checking the spread
of the disease, but it may do much to lessen the mortality by saving the
lives of those patients for whose recovery skilled nursing, plenty of
good food and healthy surroundings, arc necessary, and who arc unable
to obtain these necessities in their own homes. The total number of
Humpstead patients removed to the Board's hospitals during the year
was 24.
Most of the cases of measles are reported to the Medical Officer of
Health, principally by school teachers, and the following is a list of
the sources of information:—
Cases notified by medical practitioners 9
parents or guardians 30
„ school teachers 187
„ employers and others 24
„ Metropolitan Asylums Board (on removal
of a patient) 13
From death returns 13
276
The 276 cases occurred in 189 houses.
In 134 houses there was 1 case in the house.
„ 28 „ there were 2 cases „
„ 24 „ „ 3 „ „
„ 1 house „ 4 „ „
„ 2 houses „ 5 „ „