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31
It appears from this table that whereas from 1891-1900
Woolwich had a somewhat higher measles mortality than
London, since that date the measles death-rate in Woolwich
has greatly diminished, and was in the last two years less than
half that of London.
33. Owing to the prevalence of measles, all unprotected
children below the age of five were excluded from 22 London
County Council schools in the Borough at various dates, and
for periods differing from two to eight weeks (usually four
weeks). The Medical Officer of the L.C.C. closed, or excluded
unprotected children from, numerous classes. In many cases
this was done immediately on the occurrence of one case.
The period of exclusion or closure was usually for a few days
only, in some cases for two weeks.
Measles is usually a disease which runs its course in less than
two weeks, and, in children over five, occasions usually only
a moderate amount of discomfort; but it often leaves behind
it tuberculosis, inflammation of the eyes, and other diseases,
especially if there has been neglect in treatment. In children
under five, measles is much more serious, and has a higher
death-rate than scarlet fever. It follows, then, that public
health administration must aim at postponing the infection
till after the age of five and at securing, as far as possible, the
hygienic treatment of those who are attacked.
In order to postpone the infection, every effort is made
to prevent children under five from attending school when
measles is prevalent, and, to secure the latter object, instructions
as to sanitary measures for dealing with measles are left
at the home of all notified cases and, where possible, the
Woman Inspector pays a visit to enforce personally the
directions.