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32
After a report from the Medical Officer of Health, the compulsory
notification of Measles was stopped in February, 1903, as experience
appeared to show that the benefits scarcely justified the large cost.
No doubt a question may arise as to the completeness of the record
of cases of Measles during these years. It must be admitted that the
notification of any disease is rarely absolutely complete. Some cases
are unrecognised, and others may be wilfully concealed. In Aberdeen,
though, the compulsory powers were rigidly applied throughout the
whole period, and when required, proceedings were instituted against
defaulters. The following Table gives the average annual mortality
in Aberdeen from Measles for 100.000 inhabitants:—
1856-1872. 1873-1887. 1888-1900.
61 44 51
The conclusion which Dr. Hay, the Medical Officer of Health for
Aberdeen comes to is " that it is obvious from these considerations as
to the prevalence of Measles, and as to the mortality from the disease,
it is impossible to assert with confidence that notification has enabled
us to exercise any distinct and effective control; and it can scarcely
be urged that we have not made a sufficiently lengthy trial."
The other town that tried the compulsory notification was Burtonon-Trent,
where Measles was scheduled as a notifiable disease from
1894 to June 30th, 1900.
During the period notification was in force, there was no diminution
in the number of deaths, nor were the inter-epidemic periods
lengthened, as the following table will show:
Notification not in Force.
Deaths from 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893.
Measles 8 20 26 2 3 52 7,
Births 1565 1.575 1634 1481 1636 1511 1625
Notification in Force.
January 1st to
1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 June 30th, 1900
Deaths 36 2 86 7 31 o 36
Birtns 1533 1572 1512 1430 1463 1429