“TEA AND MEASLES” BACK AGAIN?

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

“TEA AND MEASLES” BACK AGAIN?

A REVIVAL of the old-fashion-ed “measles tea party” was advocated by the British “Lancet" recently. Formerly, when one member of a family caught measles, the others were given a chance of being - infected, too. so they might get over it together. With smaller families neighbours politely invited each other’s children to “tea and measles.” In view of the present and persistent epidemic of the malady, the following views on the suggestion, contributed by the medical correspondent of fhe “News Chronicle,” are of interest to Northland: — Unless the doctor knows the exact date of a child’s contact with a measles case, he cannot use the only method of stopping what might be a dangerous attack. The injection of half an ounce of

scrum from the blood of a person who has had measles can ensure complete protection, if given within hvc days of contact. But it is far better to give half this dose or the same amount a few days later, because the mild attack will give protection for life. It takes ten days for the measles rash to appear after contact. Though every year about 3000 children die from measles, this method, which the “Lancet" calls “one of the most valuable remedies in medicine.” is still very little used. There are three reasons: Doctors have not been told enough about the value of serum to demand it. It is difficult to know the exact date of exposure to infection —the “measles parties" would solve this. Worst of all. there is not enough serum.