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37
Measles.
So far as can be gathered from the returns provided by the school teachers, the
only persons who give any information with regard to persons infected, measles was
considerably less prevalent than in 1911, the total number noted being 484 as
against 667.
The fact that the number of deaths was considerably smaller, 39 as against 64,
also lends support to this conclusion.
Of the deaths that occurred only 4 were amongst patients more than 5 years of
age, the great majority—17 out of 39—being of babies more than 1 but less than
2 years old.
In previous reports certain of the characteristics of measles have been referred
to and it is not proposed to enter at any length here into a discussion of them.
Attention must again, however, be directed to certain facts relating to measles,
viz., that it is a disease of early life, that it is a disease exceedingly fatal to young
children, and that it is not at the height of the disease that the greatest risk is run,
but in the later stages and during convalescence, when complications affecting the
lungs are apt to occur. Most important of all, it should be pointed out, measles is
not a disease that children must suffer from. If properly protected from infection no
child need be attacked by measles and the person who, as too frequently happens,
places the healthy child with the infected in order that he or she may get the disease
and get it over is guilty almost of a criminal act.
By degrees, as a result of visits paid by the women inspectors to homes in which
measles is known to exist, information with regard to this and other matters is being
disseminated, and the attempt to dispel ignorance as to measles is being pushed on
with.
Special leaflets embodying the above information with regard to the disease have
been prepared and were distributed by the inspectors during the year. Disinfection of
premises, bedding, etc., was carried out in a number of instances.
Isolation of Measles.— During 1912, under the arrangement made by the
Metropolitan Asylums Board, cases to the number of 153 were removed to hospital.
These were all non-pauper cases and isolation was provided on the ground that it
could not be properly carried out in the patient's own home. In all cases a certificate
was granted by the Medical Officer of Health to this effect, and it was on this
certificate that the patient was admitted.
The accompanying table shows the number of cases of measles and other
infectious diseases reported from Schools and other Boroughs during 1912. With
regard to Schools it may be stated that no classrooms were closed by the Education
Department of the London County Council on account of measles.