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23
The experience of Stepney has been somewhat similar to that of the whole of
England and Wales. The means adopted for the prevention of Measles have not,
up to the present, had the effect of steadily and continuously reducing the death-rate.
During the third quarter of the last century, there was a decided improvement,
but this was followed by a serious rise towards the end of the century.
As Measles makes its appearance in epidemics, it would be fairer to dissect
the figures in the charts, and take the mortality for certain definite periods.

For purposes of comparison, the figures have been expressed as the number
of deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, but they may appear clearer and more distinct,
if the actual number of deaths be given.
In the twenty-two years, 4,398 deaths have been caused by Measles, or an
annual average of nearly 200. In the same period, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and
Typhoid Fever combined, have been the cause of 4,476 deaths, or an annual average
of 203 deaths.
In the twenty-two years, Smallpox has caused 325, but in Measles we have a
disease which claimed as its tribute last year almost that number of lives.

The harm done by Measles is not measured alone by the number of deaths
from the disease. The disease leaves behind the seed of future trouble. Measles
is often a cause of retarded growth and ill-health ; deafness and defects of the eyesight
are attributable to it, and it often lights up latent tuberculosis. Measles is
therefore not the trivial disease it is commonly assumed to be. The public are not
aware of the serious drain upon life which an outbreak of Measles entails. It is the
commonest of expressions, " oh, it is only Measles." Unfortunately, it is no uncommon
practice for mothers to allow the other children to mix with the Measles patient,
so that all can suffer together and reduce, as they think, the aggregate amount of