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38
The number of deaths from Measles and complications was
15. All the deaths were of children under School age, viz., 11
between the ages of 1 and 2 years, three between the ages of 2
and 5 years, and one under the age of 1 year.
Measles is considered by parents a disease that children must
have, but these figures prove how much less is the danger if the
disease is postponed until the child is older.
The chief danger of Measles is the complications of the
respiratory organs, such as Bronchitis and Broncho-Pneumonia.
It was not considered necessary to close any of the Schools,
but the different class-rooms were disinfected to check the spread
of the disease.
Special leaflets giving the symptoms of Measles and directions
for isolation and nursing are supplied to the Schools to be given
to parents.
In the poorer and more congested areas of the Borough it is
impossible to find adequate means of isolation, and unfortunately
the Cubicle Block at the Isolation Hospital has been so fully
occupied by other infectious diseases, that I was not able, as in
previous years, to admit cases of Measles for treatment.
This is unfortunate, as there is no doubt that in some cases,
where from poverty it was impossible to place the patient under
favourable circumstances for treatment, some of the deaths might
have been prevented by removal of the patient to hospital.
Whooping Cough.
151 cases were reported by Head Teachers of the Schools, but
these are only a small minority of the cases in the Borough.
There were 19 deaths from the disease as against 15 in 1913
and 39 in 1912.
16 deaths occurred in children under the age of two years
and as in the case of Measles, the complications of Bronchitis and
Pneumonia were the chief causes of death.
Mumps.
37 cases were reported. No deaths occurred.