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16
proportions; the numbers in the four successive quarters
having been 168, 208, 302, and 1,167 respectively, and were
as many as 1,494 in the first quarter of the present year.
In the ten years, 1887—1896, the registered number of
deaths in London was from
Measles 27,426
Scarlet Fever 10,392
Diphtheria 19,672
Moreover, the assigned number of deaths from measles is less
than the real number; for instance, in 1896 the assigned
number in this District was 11, whereas the real number was
at least 15. The cause of death registered is often that of a
complication of the disease, such as broncho-pneumonia; no
mention being made of the primary cause.
The large number of deaths from this disease means an
enormous amount of sickness which sometimes causes injury
for life in those that survive; moreover the latter are
rendered more prone to be attacked by other diseases, such
as diphtheria, whooping cough, scarlet fever, diarrhœa, and
consumption.
You are aware that I have recommended that notification
of measles by the head of the family should be compulsory,
and that children from infected houses should not be allowed
to attend school. People ought to be taught that they owe
this duty to their neighbours and society generally. It
certainly ought not to be legal for any person by wilful
neglect and carelessness to cause disease and death.