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THE HEALTH OF BARKING
MEASLES.
Like whooping cough, measles became generally notifiable in 1940. The idea
is that an opportunity is thus presented for ' follow up ' of cases. This follow up
is desirable because the complications of measles, particularly running ears, can be
a serious drag in later life and only energetic measures directed to their :reatment
until the patient is quite whole once more can reduce their ill effects.
Many Medical Officers of Health suggest that, since it has not yet proved
possible, owing to the war, to carry out fully this' follow up,' notification should be
discontinued. I do not share this view: better to hold before ourselves the reason
for notification and to implement its indications as soon as we can.
There is as yet no agent which will protect children for more than two or three
weeks against this disease. While the incidence remains unchanged in its pattern,
the mortality has generally become much less in the last few years.
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