British Medical Journal – FEB. 7, 1959
“MILD AILMENT”
Dr. JOHN FRY (Beckenham, Kent) writes: The expected biennial epidemic of measles appeared in this region in early December, 1958, just in time to put many youngsters to bed over Christmas.
To date there have been close on 150 cases in the practice, and the numbers are now steadily decreasing. Like previous epidemics, the primary cases have been chiefly in the 5-and 6-year-olds, with secondary cases in their younger siblings.
No special features have been noted in this relatively mild epidemic.
In the majority of children the whole episode has been well and truly over in a week, from the prodromal phase to the disappearance of the rash, and many mothers have remarked “how much good the attack has done their children,“ as they seem so much better after the measles.
In this practice measles is considered as a relatively mild and inevitable childhood ailment that is best encountered any time from 3 to 7 years of age. Over the past 10 years there have been few serious complications at any age, and all children have made complete recoveries.
As a result of this reasoning no special attempts have been made at prevention even in young infants in whom the disease has not been found to be especially serious.
“NO PERMANENT DISABILITIES”
[I]t is evident that the 1955 episode was one of low virulence. Indeed, many of the cases were sufficiently mild as to make diagnosis difficult.
No effort was made to prevent the spread of the disease, except the ordinary precaution of not permitting juvenile visitors.
In these epidemics no serious complications were encountered.