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22
MEASLES.
Measles caused 74 deaths, all of children under five years of age, of whom 33
were males and 41 females. The mortality was highest in Church and lowest in Haggerston
Ward, the death-rates being 0.90 and 0.32 per 1,000 respectively. The deathrate
for the whole Borough was 0.64 per 1,000, as compared with 0.52 in 1905, 0.69
in 1904, 0.85 in 1903, 0.72 in 1902, and 0.64 in 1901. Although not so low as for
last year, it was somewhat below the average for the past five years. The deaths were
most numerous during the months of March, April, May, and June. None were registered
during January, September,. October and November.
The deaths from measles in the metropolis numbered 1,909, as compared with
1,715 in 1905, the death-rate being 0.40 per 1,000, as against 0.36 in 1905.
The houses brought to the notice of the Health Department as being infected
through measles numbered 449, as compared with 470 in 1905 and 454 in 1904. The
information mostly came from the school authorities. In 54 instances, on enquiry,
the illness appeared to be something other than measles, and in 38 instances the
oases could not be traced. Altogether, 361 rooms in 350 premises were disinfected,
and the usual steps were taken by the sanitary authority with respect to bedding and
textile articles which had been exposed to infection. In 7 instances the measures as
to disinfection were carried out by the occupiers of the premises to the satisfaction of
the medical practitioners attending the cases.
WHOOPING COUGH.
Whooping cough caused 59 deaths, 24 males and 35 of females. With two exceptions,
they were all of children under five years of age. The death-rate was 0.51 per
1,000 inhabitants, as compared with 0.73 in 1905, 0.51 in 1904, 0.35 in 1903, 0.63 in
1902, and 0.49 in 1901. A comparison of the death-rates in the eight wards of the
Borough is given in Table VII. (Appendix). Deaths occurred during every month of
the year, but they were most numerous in March and April.
The deaths from whooping cough in the metropolis numbered 1,226, as compared
with 1,507 in 1905, and the death-rate was 0.26, as against 0.32 in 1905.
INFLUENZA.
Influenza was given as the cause of 17 deaths, as compared with 11 in 1905, 14
in 1904, 19 in 1903, 14 in 1902, 16 in 1901, 52 in 1900, and 35 in 1899. The figures
for previous years are contained in the Annual Report for 1901. No deaths were
certified during the months of May. July, September and November. They were most
numerous during December, the disease being more prevalent than usual at the close
of the year.