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The distribution of the deaths in the different wards was as shown on the table
on pages 8 and 9.
Although not a notifiable disease, information regarding cases of measles reaches
the Public Health Department in various ways : From the School Authorities, from
the Health Visitors, and from Medical Practitioners in the Borough. The number of
cases thus brought to our knowledge was 1,754. As explained in the last Annual
Report, the Metropolitan Asylums Board will take severe cases, or cases in which
home nursing is specially difficult, upon the recommendation of the Medical Officer
of Health. During the year the number of cases removed to the hospitals of the
Board was 374.
In accordance with arrangements made by the Borough Council, the District
Nursing Association paid 1,209 visits in connection with 109 cases of measles.
In addition to giving such advice and assistance as was practicable in individual
cases, an attempt was made to educate the public by means of warning notices,
distributed through the medium of the schools, of the dangers of and the precautions
that should be taken regarding the disease. The notice referred to was as follows:—
"measles warning."
"Measles has appeared in your neighbourhood, and there is a possibility
"that the disease may become prevalent.
"Measles is a highly infectious disease, especially in the early stages of
"illness before the rash appears. The early symptoms are those of a cold,
"which may be at first, slight; there is generally running at the eyes and nose,
"sneezing and possibly a dry cough, followed by a rash about the fourth day
"after the first appearance of illness.
"Measles should always be treated as a serious disease, especially in young
"children. As soon as it is suspected the child should be put to bed in a well"ventilated
room (as far as possible away from other children) and be kept
"warm. A doctor should be called in at once, for many children lose their lives.