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(61)
If parents and others having the care of children would only realise
the serious consequences that may ensue if these complaints are too lightly
regarded, a great saving of child life would be effected. Of the cases
that come to my knowledge and are visited by the Council's lady
inspectors, about 20 per cent. are found not being medically attended.
Upon my suggestion, the Public Health Committee recommended
the Council to issue leaflets, some of the chief objects of which are to
bring home to people the necessity for not regarding these diseases
merely as trivial ailments, and for taking due precautions for the
prevention of the spread of the disease.
The following is a copy of the leaflet that has been approved, and
is now in circulation:—
BOROUGH OF HAMPSTEAD.
Public Health Department.
MEASLES.
Measles among young children is a dangerous infectious disease and
must NOT be treated lightly. It is wrong for parents to regard measles
as of trifling importance, and as a disease of childhood "to be got over,
and the sooner, the better," as many a child has lost its life in
consequence of such foolish reasoning.
In Hampstead every year more than four times the number of
children under five years of age die from measles than from scarlet
fever.
Symptoms.
The disease generally begins like a severe cold in the head, with
marked heat of the body, and coated tongue, followed by swelling of the
eyelids and a watery appearance of the eyes. On the fourth day after
the onset a rash appears on the forehead and face of the patient, quickly
extending to the rest of the body, in the form of slightly raised spots of
a dull red colour.
Prevention of Spread of Infection.
The only safe plan is at once to get medical advice in every case;
it is wrong to wait until the child is really in danger before doing this
The greatest care must be taken to avoid exposure to cold, or the
consequences may be fatal. All discharges from the eyes, mouth, and
nose are infectious from the first.