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Vital Statistics.
7
in infancy may contract the disease in a mild form, be undetected
and spread the disease far and wide, whereas, if he had not been
vaccinated at all he would get the disease badly, be very ill,
would be recognised at once, and promptly isolated, while all
contacts would be immediately vaccinated.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
The notifications of infectious disease were considerably
m lower than in the previous year.
Measi.es and German Measles.
The compulsory notification of these diseases began in
January, 1916.
229 cases of Measles and 200 cases of German Measles
were notified either by parent or doctor.
That there were only two deaths speaks well for the home
visiting and advice given by the Health Visitor. In certain cases
attended by medical men where isolation was not properly
enforced, notice thereof was taken by the Medical Officer of Health.
My report to the Public Health Committee on the utility of
notifying these diseases is set out below.
Measles and German Measles.
Report on Public Health (Measles and German Measles) Regulations
' 1915, 50 far as they concern the Urban District of Barnes.
The notice states that:—
" The above regulations came into operation on 1st January,
1916, and shall then apply and have effect in this district and shall
be enforced and executed by the Local Authority.
" The object of the Public Health (Measles and German
Measles) Regulations, 1915, and of the requirement as to
notification, is the protection of the children."
There are two surprises in these regulations. Firstly, that
German Measles (Rubella), should be included and Whooping
Cough left out; and, secondly, that the word " German " should
be allowed to qualify the second disease.