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54
disease, and for the exposure of infected
persons or articles or the conveyance of
infected persons in public conveyances.
The Order does not provide for the compulsory notificacation
of the disease.
Considering the special character of this disease it is
extremely doubtful if the advantage to be derived by the compulsory
notification would justify its expense. Then, again,
measles is generally considered by the public as a mere
childish ailment, simple in character, notwithstanding the fact
that the disease claims many victims annually. The little
importance with which the disease is treated by many parents
accounts for the fact that unless the cases are severe or complications
supervene, medical aid is rarely sought.
Eight months have now elapsed since the regulations
referred to came into force, during which period we received
information of 321 cases or suspected cases of measles.
In 42 instances the information was given by medical
practitioners, who were under the impression that compulsory
notification was required, six by parents, and 273 by head
teachers of various Board Schools.
I feel confident that the cases notified only represent a
small proportion of the actual cases which occurred, and disinfection
was in consequence incomplete.
In the endeavour to prevent the extension of measles the
greatest good results from the education of parents as to the
necessity of treating the disease more seriously, and in controlling
the movements of their children while infection is in their
own houses or those of their neighbours or friends. This was
attempted by issuing a special circular in districts where the
disease was known to exist. The distribution of similar information
in relation to other infectious diseases would, I think, be