View report page

115
Notices were sent to head teachers when the diagnosis of measles was not confirmed,
when suspect cases were diagnosed as measles and when cases of measles
in school children came to the knowledge of the department other than through the
school medical service.
The co-operation between the School Medical Service and the Department was
excellent, visits being paid to every home where cases of measles or suspected measles
were living, within 24 hours of the teacher sending the notification to the Department.
The scheme worked very well in other respects. It enabled the normal routine
work of the health visitors to be maintained with very little disturbance ; it ensured
the early diagnosis of secondary cases and their exclusion from school in an infectious
state ; it ensured the early provision of nursing assistance and it enabled arrangements
to be made for the early admission of cases to hospital where necessary.
Home Nursing.—In 45 cases nursing assistance was provided during the year,
499 visits in all being paid. The cost to the Council was £26 11s. 6d.
Measles Serum,.—It was not possible to obtain a supply of Measles Serum and
it was not used in any case treated at home.
Hospital Treatment.—The number of children admitted to fever hospitals was
266.
Deaths.—There were 13 deaths from measles during the year.
Pneumonia.
The number of cases notified was 249 compared with 255 in 1935. Of these
18 were influenzal. The number of deaths certified to be due to lobar or bronchial
pneumonia was 97 and to acute influenzal pneumonia one. The ward incidence of
the Pneumonias is shown in Table No. 40.
There is misunderstanding about the notification of pneumonia. All primary
pneumonias—lobar or broncho—have to be notified. Secondary pneumonias,
with the single exception of acute influenzal pneumonia, are not notifiable. The
main objects underlying notification are (a) statistical evidence of the prevalence
of the disease or diseases and (b) the provision of nursing assistance if required.