View report page

43
The disease begins like a cold in the head ; this lasts
four days before the rash conies out, and the case is " catching "
during all this period, as well as for some fortnight or more
after the disappearance of the rash.
Isolate the Patient. Keep off Measles as long as you
can, as 90 per cent, of the deaths occur below 5 years of
age. The older the child is when it has measles the better
chance it has of living through it.
Bronchitis, Pneumonia, and Inflammation of the Kidneys,
even in very mild cases, follow on the disease if the patient is
not kept in bed.
Medical Officer of Health.
During the first quarter of the year, 14 cases of measles, in
10 houses, occurred amongst scholars attending the Russell British
School, Petersham. Each case was promptly notified by the head
master. Upon visiting the houses, most of the cases were found to
be under medical treatment, and proper precautions were being
taken. Only two more cases were notified during the year in
connection with this school.
From March to August sporadic cases occurred in connection
with nearly every school in the Borough, but towards the end of
September and early part of October many cases were notified from
the Holy Trinity Schools, Lower Mortlake Road. Several cases
were notified in connection with St. John's Schools during the
middle of October, and by the last week in that month the disease
had reached some of the scholars of Holy Trinity Schools, Princes
Road, followed by an outbreak amongst the scholars of the Parochial
Schools during November.
It is quite possible that the epidemic would have spread in
spite of all our efforts ; it is, however, unfortunate that information
concerning the absence of children suffering from this disease in
September in connection with the first school affected, viz. : Holy