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The disease showed itself in 6 Parishes, but assumed
epidemic proportions in 3 only, viz., Merton, Mitcham, and to a
less extent Beddington. In all, 1,042 cases of measles were
ascertained to have occurred iD 552 houses, of which 809 were
notified by medical attendants, 102 by householders, and 131
were discovered by other means. Besides these, 41 cases also
occurred at an institution.
In proportion to population, taking the figures of the last
census of 1891, the Parish most affected was Merton, where the
attack rate was 6.1 per cent. of the population, while in Mitcham
it was 5.8 per cent., and in Beddington 4.8 per cent. As regards
the other Parishes where cases occurred, the rate in Coulsdon
was 1.6 per cent., or, exclusive of Kenley, where there were no
cases, 2.5 per cent., and in Wallington and Morden only 0.8
and 0.7 per cent. respectively. A public institution, the Holborn
Schools, in Mitcham, was also affected, and it was here that the
disease first showed itself in the District. Thirty-seven cases
occurred there in the course of the first 8 weeks of the year, and
four others in April, June, and August.
In Merton the disease made its first appearance in February,
mainly in connection with the pupils of schools in the neighbouring
District of Wimbledon, where, it appears, the malady was
prevalent. Towards the end of February a considerable number
of cases had been reported, but in the first week of March a
great outburst suddenly occurred, and during the next fortnight
the epidemic was maintained, after which it rapidly subsided,
and finally disappeared at the beginning of June. One school
was principally affected, and it was closed on March 5th for 4
weeks, the result being admirable. It was ascertained that 205
cases occurred in this parish in 98 houses, and there was not one
death.
It was feared that this epidemic would spread to the
neighbouring Parish of Mitcham, and indeed, it appeared as
if the school nearest to Merton had, at the end of March,