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Show STATE REPORT ON MEASLES The January bulletin of the State Board of Health has the following regarding the measles epidemic in Utah: The extensive epidemic of measles throughout the State has more than confirmed the prediction made in the October Bulletin in which attention atten-tion was called to the serious menace men-ace of the disease. The following is quoted from the Bulletin referred to: "It is depressing to contemplate the unnecessary, because preventable, suffering and loss of child life that is in store. These diseases (referring to whooping cough and measles) are universally among the most difficult to control because of the fixed and time-honored belief in the public mind that they are so mild and devoid de-void of danger to life that precautions precau-tions are unnecessary. "The situation demands the earnest earn-est cooperation of parents, teachers and health officials and the arousing of an active public sentiment." During the quarter ending December Decem-ber 31st, "7. 581 cases and 30 deaths from measles were reported, most of which could have been prevented by the observance of simple measures of precaution such as were referred to In the Bulletin. Innocent children are compelled to suffer and die because they are not given the protection to which they are entitled. It cannot be denied that such neglect is criminal and a reflection upon the public conscience and intelligence. , The epidemic is still unabated and in the absence of an active and intelligent in-telligent public sentiment, the health authorities must confess themselves practically powerless. The disease will run its course and many . more victims will be needlessly sacrificed. It also must be added that the terrible ter-rible lesson will fail to serve as a warning for future guidance and protection. pro-tection. The same devastation, if wrought by infantile paralysis or other of the more unusual diseases, would arouse-a most intense public sentiment in behalf of preventive measures, but there is no terror in the name measles, except to the mother whose child's life has been taken or health permanently impaired impair-ed by it. |