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17
At all the municipal and voluntary centres, lectures and talks are given to
the mothers. They are told that measles itself is a serious disease and if
neglected the diseases resulting from it may prove fatal. Broncho-pneumonia
is one of the commonest complications of measles and is the most usual cause
of death. Conjunctivitis or inflammation of the eyes is another of the troublesome
effects of measles. If this is not treated at the beginning the child may
suffer from a chronic affection of the eyes. The mothers are also instructed
how to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease and
also the nursing and care to be carried out during and after the illness.
Advice leaflets are issued to the schools where cases of measles occur and
the health visitors also leave them at the homes.
According to the London County Council Report on Measles, 1927-28,
Stepney had 2,212 cases in 29 weeks. The report goes on to say that the close
co-operation between schools and public health authorities is the chief important
point in reducing mortality from measles. All absences in the infants departments
should be investigated immediately and the Borough Medical Officer
informed at once if measles is suspected.
Whooping Cough.
The number of deaths from Whooping Cough was 84, or 59 more than in
the previous year.
23 belonged to the Limehouse District.
17 belonged to St. George-in-the-East.
43 belonged to Mile End old Town.
1 belonged to the Whitechapel District.
The death-rate for the whole Borough was .34 per 1,000 of the population,
and that for the whole of London was .20 per 1,000.
Epidemic Diarrhoea,
The number of deaths was 77, or 13 more than in the previous year.
22 belonged to the Limehouse District.
31 belonged to St. George-in-the-East.
19 belonged to Mile End Old Town.
5 belonged to the Whitechapel District.
The death-rate for the whole Borough was .31 per 1,000. 71 of the
deaths, or over 92 per cent., were those of infants under one year of age.