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10
SMALL POX.
No cases have been notified since 1894, and it is a noteworthy
fact that no deaths have occurred in Acton from this
disease during the last twelve years, a forcible proof of the efficacy
of vaccination.
MEASLES.
There was an epidemic of this disease during the spring,
and caused the deaths of twenty-four children among the poorer
class. This death rate is due entirely to ignorance as to the
danger of neglecting this disease, and the serious complications
which may supervene if due care is not taken of the patients and
medical advise sought early. Witji a view of instructing this class
I have written a leaflet in which directions are given how this
disease may be recognised in the early stages, and warning the
parents of the danger of exposing the children to cold, and
neglecting to send for medical assistance.
This leaflet will be distributed shortly.
Of all diseases Measles is most difficult to arrest the
spread of in a household, from the fact that it begins as
an ordinary cold, and that it is in this stage highly infectious,
so that measures of isolation will in nine cases out of ten
be too late, so far as the family are concerned; but it is right
to give such measures a trial, and to isolate the first cases
directly the disease is recognised. In many districts Measles
has been made a notifiable disease, but the utility of this
measure is questionable for the above reasons.
SCARLET FEVER.
One hundred and ninety three cases were notified, but only
one death occurred from this complaint; this is highly satisfactory,
especially when we compare the figures with the last epidemic in
1893, when 192 cases were notified and 10 deaths took place.
The epidemic commenced in Acton Green, and spreading
with some rapidity, I found that Beaumont Park School was the