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111
HACKNEY BOROUGH COUNCIL.
PREVENTION OF MUMPS.
Mumps.—This is a very infectious disease, attacking children
usually at school ages. It may occur at any time of the year, but at
certain seasons, particularly in the spring and autumn, the number
of cases increases very rapidly, sometimes assuming the features of a
widespread epidemic. It attacks males rather more frequently
than females, and has a tendency to spread very rapidly in schools
and similar institutions. The disease is not regarded as very
dangerous to life, but complications may occur during the course of
the disease which may seriously impair health for a considerable
time or may lead to a fatal issue. Owing to its frequent occurrence
amongst school children, mumps may seriously interfere with school
education. It is therefore desirable, both for the maintenance of the
child's health as well as to prevent interference with school
education, that parents and those in charge of children should learn
something as to the nature of this disease and the measures which
should be adopted to prevent its spread.
Symptoms.—A child will not usually show any sign of having
been infected until two or three weeks after exposure to infection.
This period is known as the incubation period. The first symptom to
show itself is feverishness, which is usually slight but may be severe.
At the same time the child complains of pain just below the ear on
one side. Here a slight swelling appears which gradually increases
in size, extending over the side of the cheek and neck. The other
side of the neck and face is usually affected in the same way after a