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88
Measles.
Prior to the 1st October this disease was not notifiable in the Borough and the
two main sources of our knowledge of its incidence were through the school medical
services and the health visitors. Occasionally, however, information came to us
through the local nursing associations or from parents.
During the year 2,560 cases, including 51 cases of German Meales, were discovered.
In 1937 and 1936, the corresponding figures were 76 and 2,060. The
number of cases notified from the 1st October to the end of the year was 8.
Measles occurs in epidemic form every two years, usually for four months.
The incidence in each of the twelve months of the year was as follows :—
January 37 February 152 March 643
April 735 May 624 June 287
July 59 August 8 September 4
October 2 November 7 December 2
From these figures it will be noted that the disease first assumed epidemic
proportions in February, reached its peak in April and fell away thereafter.
The Council's scheme for measles control was put in force at the beginning
of February, two temporary health visitors being appointed. They investigated
every reported case of measles from whatever source information came; they
visited cases absent from school from unknown causes and every case of suspected
measles. The staff health visitors made subsequent visits to cases where children
were under school age, but where they were of school age the subsequent visits
were made by temporary health visitors.
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 48 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 59 cases nursing assistance was provided, 469 visits in
all being paid. The cost to the Council was £22 5s. 6d,