View report page

42
In 1904 measles was removed from the schedule of the
Notification of Diseases Act, and it was feared by some that
this was a retrograde step to take. So far this past year has
shewn no sign of supporting this contention.
In 1898, 425 cases were notified, with 5 deaths, or rate of .18
„ 1899 467 „ „ 12 „ „ .39
„ 1900 326 „ „ 2 „ „ .05
„ 1901 805 „ „ 5 „ „ .12
„ 1902 564 „ „ 3 „ „ .06
„ 1903 684 „ „ 10 „ „ .20
„ 1904 1138 „ and reported 17 „ „ .30
„ 1905 936 „ were reported 3 „ ,, .05
Of course it may be contended that 136 cases represented
but a small proportion of the actual cases occurring. To a
certain extent that may be true, but it would only apply to
some of the cases under school age, and only those where
there was no other child in the house attending school. Moreover,
if there were many it is very unlikely to be so limited
in its spread. There are four attendance officers, who report
to me personally every morning, of any case of infectious
disease coming to their notice, and the teachers also are
supplied with forms to send me immediately they hear or
suspect any such case, and I must say the teachers are
extremely good in the care they take in watching for and
reporting any case. Also, too, if there is a case of measles in
a school it is so apt to spread, especially amongst the infants,
that I should soon get to know of its prevalence.
The chief reason of the freedom from measles during
the past year, I believe, is largely due to the excessive
prevalence during the previous year, thus rendering a large
proportion of the infant population immune to the infection.