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22
Measles.
The number of deaths was 176, or 14 more than in the preceding year.
40 occurred in the Limehouse District, or at the rate of 68 per 1,000.
46 occurred in the St. George's District, or at the rate of 91 per 1,000.
65 occurred in the Mile End District, or at the rate of 56 per 1000.
25 occurred in the Whitechapel District, or at the rate of 31 per 1,000.
The death-rate for the whole Borough was at the rate of 57 per 1,000 of
the population. The death-rate for the whole of London was 49 per 1,000.
In my last Annual Report, 1 called attention to the absurdity of applying
certain sections only, of the Public Health London Act to Measles, which came
into force on April 1st, 1903. All the sections referring to other notifiable
diseases were made to apply, with the exception of the one referring to the
necessity of notifying the disease to the Medical Officer of Health. We have
full power to enforce disinfection, etc., but we have no means of knowing who
are suffering from the disease. It was thought at first that information would
be obtained from Schools. It is true 1 receive information from teachers, that
certain scholars have been absent from school since a certain date. The information
is of no use to us, for several reasons. At the time I receive the information,
the children have often been absent from school a fortnight, or longer. The
teachers have no proof that the cause of the absence of the child is Measles.
Probably they have been so informed by another child. This is quite unreliable,
and when the mother of the child is afterwards interviewed by the Sanitary
Inspector, she indignantly denies that the child has had Measles, and refuses to
have the rooms and clothing disinfected. I do not see that it is possible for us
to legally insist on the disinfection, if they persist in denying the truth of the
statement made by the teacher. We cannot controvert their word, and if we
took proceedings against them, the Magistrate would have to dismiss the case.
It would assist us if the teachers refused to accept any excuse, as to the cause
of the child's absence, except a statement made in writing. It would be mors
difficult for the parents afterwards to deny, than a mere verbal statement,
made possibly through another child.
Scarlet Fever,
1,155 cases of Scarlet Fever were notified, of which 1,033 were removed
to the various Fever Hospitals.