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10
During the past 5 years the death-rate per 100,000 has been as
follows:—
1904 32
1905 8
1906 52
1907 38
1908 65
In the 25 years, 1884—1908, Measles was accountable for 250
deaths, and no other Zymotic disease, with the exception of
Diarrhœa plays so important part in the mortality returns of
children under 5 years of age.
We have to face two problems, the prevention and control of
epidemics, and the reduction of the fatality of the disease. The latler
is to some extent dependent on the former, for after a certain period,
the older the child, the less susceptible he is to the disease, and even
if the disease be contracted, children over 5 years of age rarely
succumb.
The age at which relatively the greatest number of children die
of Measles is the second year of life, while after the third year has
passed there is a rapid decrease in the fatality of the disease.
Dr Theodore Thompson in his report in the Local Government
Board on the control of Measles states "that the incidence of attack
is different from that of death. For while the main incidence
of death is on the second year, the incidence of attack
is chiefly on the third, fourth and fifth year. From this different
incidence of attack anddeath it resultst hat the fatality from Measles
is very much higher in the second year of life than in any of those
succceding years. While, therefore, more children die of Measles in
the second year of life than at any other age, more children are
attacked by this disease in each of the three years following ; so that
children in the second year of life, although less susceptible to attack
are much more likely to die if attacked than any other children."
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