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14
were possible to prevent the attendance of infected children at
schools in this District. At Beddington, also, it is more
than probable that it was first introduced from Croydon, from
similar causes.
When the disease was introduced into Merton and Mitcham,
it rapidly obtained an extensive hold, for both these Parishes
were well prepared for invasion, because there had been no
prevalence of measles in Mitcham since 1892, or in Merton since
1889. The same remarks apply to Beddington and Coulsdon,
where the disease was also prevalent, for in both these Parishes
there has been scarcely any occurrence of it since 1892.
The more detailed history of the occurrence of infectious
disease during 1896, is as follows :—
Small-pox.—No case of small-pox was reported during the
year 1896.
Scarlatina.—This disease was but slightly prevalent during
1896. No more than 65 were notified, as compared with an
annual average of 130 during the previous 6 years, that is to say,
the period during which notification has been carried out in the
District.
Thirty cases occurred in three institutions, and the
remaining 35 in 26 private houses. The disease first appeared
at the Holborn Schools, Mitcham, where in the first 3 months
of the year 6 cases occurred, as a sequel to 2 cases which
occurred there in the last month of the previous year. During
the first quarter 8 cases occurred in private houses, 3 of
which were in Wallington, 2 at Beddington Corner, 2 in
Mitcham, and 1 at Purley. In April and May there were 2
cases in one house at Beddington Corner, and 1 at Raynes Park.
In June the disease appeared in Coulsdon, 5 cases occurring
early in the month at Cane Hill Asylum, followed by 3 cases in
a house at Smithambottom,* tenanted by one of the Asylum
attendants. Another case, contracted in Croydon, was reported
*This house is technically in Woodmansterne parish.