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17
Death very seldom occurs during the eruptive stage, and only
two deaths took place during the first week of the illness. The
period which elapsed between the onset of the disease and death in
the other 36 cases was as follows:—
1—2 weeks 15 4—5 weeks 4
2—3 „ 7 5-6 „ 1
3—4 „ 7 over 6 weeks 2
The liability to complications is enhanced by the fact that the
employment of the mother compels a large number of them to leave
their homes during the day. In 14 instances the mother was
employed in laundry work. On the subsidence of the symptoms
associated with the eruptive stage, the child would often be left in
the care of some person in the house other than the mother, or taken
to a neighbour's house to be looked after. In either case, the same
care would not be taken to avoid exposure as would be exercised by
the mother.
In the last Annual Report, it was pointed out that doubtless
many lives would be saved if all cases of Measles which were
seriously ill could have skilled nursing. Almost every case is now
visited and instructions given, but facilities are wanting in many of
the houses, not only for the proper nursing of the sick, but also for
the isolation of the patients. Once a house in the industrial portion
of the district is invaded by the disease, usually, all the susceptible
children are attacked.
Duritig the late epidemic, there were 3 deaths each in two
houses and 2 deaths in 1 house, so that altogether, deaths occurred
in 31 houses. Where a second case occurred in a house, the
infection took place during the early stages in the illness of the
previous one, and it is very doubtful if systematic disinfection
would have any effect in preventing the spread of the disease in a
household.
In the Annual Report for 1906, reasons were given to show that
the ordinary domestic cleansing usually suffices for the disinfection
after Measles, and no facts came to light during the late epidemic
which would influence one in altering the opinion then held.