View report page

In addition, medical practitioners reported that they
had immunised as private patients 126 children under
five years of age and 133 children over five and under
fifteen years of age.
Thus, the total number of children immunised in the
Borough during the year 1941 was 3,034.
Measles.— There was an epidemic of measles during
the first six months of the year. One thousand and
twenty-seven cases were notified by medical practitioners.
These cases represent only a -proportion of
the children affected. The disease was not of unusual
severity, and the large number attended by medical
practitioners reflects a general high standard of care
on the part of parents. One hundred and eight cases
were at institutions, and nine hundred and nineteen in
the district. The course of the epidemic is indicated
by the following figures of monthly incidence.
Month January February March April May June July to Total
December
Cases 93 199 372 190 104 50 19 1027

The Fable shows that the children in the infant
classes at school suffered most severely, and that the
young children and babies were also heavily involved.
Eleven of the cases were complicated by pneumonia
and there were two deaths. The prevention of the
spread of Measles is only possible by the early detection
of the catarrhal symptoms of onset and prompt
and effective isolation until diagnosis is established.
All cases should be kept in bed and nursed carefully
during the acute phase in order to avoid pneumonic
complications, which are the principal cause of
mortality.
25