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for 1921. The great development which has taken place in the
provision of public health services, especially since the passing of
the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, has no doubt been
mainly responsible for this and other gratifying results of the
activities of health authorities.
MEASLES AND WHOOPING COUGH.
Measles.
Measles was so prevalent during 1922 as to assume epidemic
proportions. This disease and whooping-cough, both of which
are peculiarly fatal to early childhood, at the request of the Borough
Council, were by Regulations issued by the Ministry of Health,
dated 8th April, the Battersea (Measles and Whooping-cough)
Regulations, 1922, made compulsory notifiable in Battersea.
The regulations came into operation on the 24th April.
During 1922, 3,060 cases were notified or otherwise reported
to the Medical Officer of Health. The incidence of the disease as
measured by these notified or reported cases was equivalent to a
rate of 100 cases in every 1,000 of the population under 10 years
of age.
Of the cases notified or reported during the year, 1,496 or
49 per cent. were notified under the Regulations and 1,564 or 51 per
cent. by the public elementary schools and from other sources.
The deaths from measles during the year were 66, giving a
total mortality-rate at all ages of 0.39, as compared with 2 deaths
and a mortality rate of 0 012 per 1,000 in 1921. 21 of these deaths
occurred in the first quarter, 44 in the second quarter, and 1 in
the third quarter. Of the fatal cases, 62 occurred amongst children
under 5 years of age, and 41 or 62 per cent. of the fatal cases
were males.
The precautionary measures carried out included visits by
the Health Visitors to the houses of all cases notified or otherwise
reported, securing of isolation so far as practicable, advice to the
mothers, especially as to the importance of early medical assistance,
removal to the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums' Board
where owing to environmental conditions, this course was desirable,
and the provision of nursing attendance where required.
Whooping Cough.
During 1922, 428 cases of whooping-cough were notified or
otherwise reported to the Public Health Department. Of these,
285 were notified under the Battersea (Measles and WhoopingCough)
Regulations, 1922.
Twenty-two deaths were registered from whooping-cough,
the death-rate being 0 13, as compared with 30 deaths and a
death-rate of 0.18 in 1921, and 33 deaths and a death-rate of 0.2
in 1920.