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37
practicable means of isolation were adopted in every instance,
it would be quite impossible during an epidemic for the
present staff to carry out the work. Moreover, efficient
isolation in the homes of the working class is seldom practicable,
and the provision of hospital accommodation on a
sufficient scale to meet an epidemic would entail an expenditure
out of all proportion to the probable benefit.
" From the point of view of the prevention of epidemics
I do not consider very much would be gained by including
Measles in the list of notifiable diseases, and I therefore do
not recommend this step to be taken."
Whooping Cough.
Judging from the mortality returns, epidemics of
Whooping Cough recur with much greater frequency in
Finchley than do epidemics of Measles, though there is very
little difference in the yearly average number of deaths from
each of these diseases when taken over a long period. See
Table A 5, page 22.
There were altogether fourteen deaths certified as due
primarily to Whooping Cough, in two instances complicated
by Measles. Ten of these deaths were recorded in East
Finchley, one each in West Finchley and Whetstone, and
two in North Finchley towards the close of the year.
In March there was 1 death.
In April there were 7 deaths.
In May there were 2 deaths.
In September there were 2 deaths.
In October there was 1 death.
In November there was 1 death.
In addition to the above, two deaths were certified as due
primarily to Measles and secondarily to Whooping Cough.
These have both been grouped under the former cause of
death.