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43
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, and that of Woolwich between
1891 and 1900.
33. Owing to the prevaJennoe of measles, the Medical
Officer of the London County Council closed or excluded
unprotected children from numerous classes. In many oases
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 most often
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.
These measures have now been in force in Woolwich for
more than 12 years, and have no doubt had a large share in
the reduction of the measles death-rate.