[Report 1915] / Medical Officer of Health, Chesterfield R.D.C.

  • Chesterfield (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1915
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1915] / Medical Officer of Health, Chesterfield R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/42 (page 14)
    Measles caused 44 deaths as compared with 55 in 14)14, and an average of 34.3 in the decennium ending that year. It has been the cause of very high mortality at times, e.g., 8.G per cent, of the mortality of Eckington in 1914, 19.7 of that of North Wingfield in 1913, and 20.6 of that of Staveley in 1910 were due to it. The highest rates in the ten years 1905 to 1914 were • 65 in Beighton, .59 in Eckington, .81 (the highest) in, Heath, .78 in North Wingfield, .55 in Staveley, .76 in Tupton, and .58 in Wessington. The Measles Order, 1915.—Measles and Rubella (otherwise Rothelri or German Measles), became com- pulsorily notifiable on January 1st, 1916. The Order is a wide-reaching measure which would effect a great saving of life and suffering if it could be carried out thoroughly. While there is no expectation that the diseases can be abolished, it is hoped by postponing the time at which they are contracted from the age- periods at which they are most fatal to the later periods, to effect a large reduction in the mortality, and to save- many from permanent defects following them; it is also hoped that a reduction in the number of cases of tuber- culosis may result. The Order requires that the medical officers of health or some other officer of the local authority acting under his directions shall make inquiries and take such steps as may be necessary or desirable for investigating the source of infection, for preventing the spread of infection, and for the removal of conditions favourable to infection; it places for the first time the duty of verifying cases on the medical officer of health. If the nursing is insufficient, nurses are to be provided, and if necessary, hospital treatment. Leaflets giving advice and instructions are to be distributed. Notice of cases has to be given to school and military authorities, as well as to the Local Govern- ment Board and County Council; numbers only and not details are reported to the last two. It is suggested in the memorandum issued with the Order that voluntary- nursing staffs might be organised. Voluntary effort cannot be relied upon to provide either the quantity or quality of nursing required, and it is therefore necessary that arrangements should be made