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32
MEASLES.
Deaths from measles were most numerous during the months of March,
April and May,, but the disease was much less prevalent than in 1907. The
deaths numbered 51, of which 50 were children under 5 years of age, and
one was of a child aged between five and ten years; 31 of the-children who
died were males and 20 females. The mortality was proportionately highest
in Haggerston and lowest in Moorfields Wards, being 0.71 and 0.18 per 1,000
respectively. The death-rate for the Borough due to measles was 0.44 per 1,000
population as compared with 0.99 in 1907, 0.(54 in 190G, 0.52 in 1905, 0.69 in
1904, 0.85 in 1903, 0.72 in 1902 and 0.64 in 1901. It was therefore considerably
be low the average of recent years, and is the lowest recorded during the
past 20 years.
The deaths from measles in the Metropolis numbered 1,524, as compared
with 1,801 in 1907, 1,909 in 190G and 1,715 in 1905; the death-rate being
0.31 per 1,000, as against 0.38 in 1907, 0.40 in 1906 and 0.36 in 1905.
The houses brought to the notice of the Health Department as being
infected through measles numbered 311, as compared with 674 in 1907, 449
in 190G, 470 in 1905 and 454 in 1904. These houses were mostly brought
to our notice by the School Authorities. On enquiry during the year in
85 instances it appeared that the illness was not measles. Disinfection was
carried out in connection with 228 rooms by the officers of the Sanitary
Authority, and the usual steps were taken as regards bedding and textile
articles. In three instances the measures as to disinfection were carried out
by the occupiers of the infected premises to the satisfaction of the medical
practitioners attending on the cases.
WHOOPING COUGH.
This disease caused 21 deaths, 3 of males and 18 of females, all of whom
were under five years of age. The death-rate was only 0.18 per 1,000 inhabitants,
as compared with 0.86 in 1907, 0.51 in 1906, 0.73 in 1905, 0.51 in
1904, 0.35 in 1903, 0.63 in 1902 and 0.49 in 1901. The death-rate due to
whooping cough for 1908 is the lowest recorded for fifty yea is. A comparison
of the death-rates in the eight wards of the Borough is given in Table VII.
(Appendix). There were no deaths in Moorfields Ward. The rate was highest
in Hoxton Ward.
No deaths from whooping cough were registered during January, March,
May and July.