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23
All known cases were systematically followed up and appropriate
advice given. The Health Visitors were instructed to urge upon the
parents the serious nature of the complications of Measles and advise
medical aid in all cases. In not a few instances the parents were
blind to the serious condition in which the child was at the time
of visitation and it is not doubted that the pressing appeal of the
visitor for medical assistance was the means of saving life. That
is all to the good, but something more is needed. Many parents are
quite incapable of sick nursing. Sick children should not be in their
custody. Notification has succeeded in at least this, it has demonstrated
the absolute necessity for the provision of institutional accommodation
for complicated cases of children's infectious ailments where domestic
arrangements are unsuitable, or the mother is incapable of affording the
requisite attention.
These remarks upon Measles are equally applicable to Whooping
Cough. The extent of the prevalence o~F Whooping Cough is more
difficult to ascertain, but during 1919 it does not appear to have been
excessive.
INFLUENZA.
The epidemic of Influenza that wrought such havoc at the end
of 1918 gradually subsided early in 1919. The mortality from .this
disease for the year was as follows :—
Under 1 year 1
1 year to 5 years 3
5 years to 15 years 3
15 „ 25 13
25 „ 45 43
45 ,, and upwards 47
110
It was not found necessary to re-open the Auxiliary Hospital at
Bruce Castle during the year, nor indeed were any extraordinary measures
called for to cope with the disea e.
VENEREAL DISEASES,
The County Council is the authority that deals with this type of
diseases, and one of their stations for treatment is the Prince of