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17
Measles, as we have in the other notifiable diseases. The childen that
contract Measles are generally younger than those who suffer from Scarlet
Fever. Twenty-five per cent, of the children that died last year from Measles
in this Borough were under 1 year of age. Ninety per cent of the remainder
were between one and two years of age. The majority of the children that
died from Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria were between two and five years of
age, and sixteen per cent were above five years of age. The objection to
removing children under a twelve-month old, or even under two yrears of age,
to a Fever Hospital is obvious.
Measles differs from other notifiable diseases in the fact that it is very
infectious before the rash appears, and days before the disease can be
recognised with any certainty.
The removal of children suffering from Measles to Fever Hospitals being
thus out of the question, it may be asked whether notification without subsequent
removal would be of any benefit.
In the year 1906, 94 per cent, of the Scarlet Fever cases, and 93 per cent,
of the Diphtheria cases were removed to the Fever Hospitals, because it was
found impossible to have them properly isolated at their own homes. This
also proves that it would be equally impracticable to isolate children suffering
from Measles at home.
By means of notification we would certainly receive information where
the first cases occur. The inspection of the premises and the isolation of the
patient, if possible, with full instructions as to the prevention of its spreading
to other children, would be of some value. Periodic visits to see that these
instructions are being obeyed, would tend to an increased appreciation of the
serious nature of the disease, and thus to prevent its spreading. The parents
could at the same time be warned of the danger of pulmonary complications,
which are co frequently fatal.
The compulsory notification of Measles, has, as yet, been tried in only
a few towns, of which Aberdeen is one. There was continuous notification in
Aberdeen from 1881 to 1903. It was withdrawn in the latter year, as experience
appeared to show that the benefits scarcely justified the large cost. It
was found that the great bulk of children contracted Measles before the
completion of their eighth year. It is therefore needless in a threatened
epidemic of Measles to close schools in so far as children above eight years
are concerned. The prevalence of Measles increased considerably during the
last ten years of the above-mentioned period (1892 to 1902), but this was
probably due to increased efficiency in notification.
B