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18
the provisions of the section can be effectually carried out. Epidemics
of Measles are of an explosive character, and the difficulty
is to cope with the work during an epidemic with the staff required
in interepidemic periods. As far as possible, visits are being paid
to the houses where a case is notified, and when necessary, instructions
are given, but in many instances, these instructions could be
usefully supplemented. There is no doubt but that the visits
which are now being paid prove of great educational value. Parents
appreciate to a greater extent than formerly the seriousness of the
illness. Out of the 307 cases investigated, 191 were attended by a
doctor.
In last year's report the influence of school attendance, and the
question of disinfection were entered into, and it is unnecessary
to dwell on these matters.
Whooping Cough.
Apart from the tendency of both Measles and Whooping
Cough to appear epidemically at certain periods, there seems to be
some other connection between the diseases. It is commonly
found that an outbreak of one of the diseases follows upon the
subsidence of the other. The order in which they follow each other
is not constant. Sometimes an outbreak of Measles occurs amongst
children convalescent of Whooping cough but more frequently
Whooping Cough follows Measles. Last year in Acton the usual
course of events was noticed, and Whooping Cough made its appearance
in the early part of the year in that part of the district which
had suffered from Measles during the latter part of the previous
year. Altogether 17 deaths were attributable to this disease, and
of these 14 belonged to the South-West Ward. But of the 236
cases notified, 155 lived in the South-West Ward, 57 in the SouthEast,
13 in the North-East, and n in the North-West.
119 Cases, or slightly over 50 per cent., were attended by a
doctor.