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On the following page a chart is given, which shows the number
of deaths from Measles per 100,000 inhabitants during the last quarter
of a century, but owing to the marked difference in the birth-rate, too
much reliance must not be placed upon the figures for the years prior
to 1890. It will be observed with what regularity Measles appears in
an epidemic form.
An epidemic made its appearance almost every second year, and
the district was visited by a major epidemic at intervals of 4, 3, 4, and
6 years respectively. If these periods were analysed more minutely, the
cyclical character of the epidemic would be made still more evident.
For instance, the figures for 1897 and 1898 really belong to one epidemic;
the outbreak commenced towards the latter part of 1897 and
continued during the earlier months of 1898
The experience of Acton has been somewhat similar to that of
the whole of England and Wales. The means adopted for the prevention
of Measles have not. up to the present, had the effect of steadily
and continuously reducing the death-rate. During the third quarter
of the last century, there was a decided improvement, but this was
followed by a serious rise towards the end of the century. This rise
will be made more evident if we dissect the figures in the chart and
take the mortality for certain definite periods. The following Table
gives the annual number of deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in quinquennial
periods for the 25 years, 1882-1906:
1882-86. 1887-91. 1892-96. 1897-1901. 1902-1906.
32.6 66.6 50.2 13.6 29
For purposes of comparison, the figures have been expressed as
the number of deaths per 100.000 inhabitants, but they may appear
clearer and distinct if the actual number of deaths be given. In the
25 years, 259 deaths have been caused by Measles. In the same period
Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and Typhoid Fever combined have been
the cause of 286 deaths.
In the quarter of a century Small-pox has caused 13 deaths,
but in Measles we have a disease which claims as its tribute every year
almost that number of lives. The victims of the latter form the
silent, the innocent and the unprotected portion of the community.