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26
The ages at death were as follows:—
Under 6 months 1
6 and under 12 months 3
Total under 1 year 4
1 and under 2 years 14
2 and under 3 years % 6
4 and under 5 years 1
5 and under 6 years 2
Total 27
Of course, it is understood that these figures do not represent
the relative number of cases at different ages which occurred during
the late epidemic. It is explained above that the majority of the cases
which come to the knowledge of the Sanitary Department would be
children who attend school, and Measles occurring among younger
children would remain unreported. The above figures, though, do bear
out the assumption that the fatality from the disease is lower in
children above the age of 2 years.
This aspect of the question is worthy of consideration, as bearing
upon the epidemicity of the disease. If the assumption be correct,
and it probably is. the length of the inter-epidemic period is of importance.
If the inter-epidemic period could be lengthened, not only
some children would have reached an age when they would be less
susceptible to an attack, but a larger number of children will, when
the epidemic arrives, have reached ages at which the disease is little
fatal. A number of lives would thus be saved, which are now sacrificed
to Measles.
Our first concern, therefore, would be with the measures adopted
to meet epidemic prevalence of the disease, and the means by which
it'may be controlled so as to arrest or delay a threatened epidemic.
The other measures would be directed towards restraining the
spread of Measles in invaded households.