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arrangements justifies this school being treated as a school for physically defectives, but the Board of
Education fail to appreciate this and it has to be conducted as an ordinary school. The possibility
of difficulties in regard to attendance can be foreseen as likely to arise out of this official treatment which
may destroy the value of the attempt to prevent diffusion of the disease in this country.
In addition to the Council's action, Dr. Abrahams points out that modern treatment by means of
the X-rays affords a means whereby the disease could probably be eradicated in a comparatively short
time, and that it would be a charitable and humane action if some liberal minded citizen would at a
comparatively small cost establish an institution in this area where such treatment could be given.
The continuous neglect of the majority of these cases, and the want of power to protect the public
against offenders makes it probable that the whole question of diseases which, whilst highly objectionable
from the public health point of view are not fatal, will require legislative treatment by drastic
powers being given to some authority to deal with such matters as favus, ringworm and verminous conditions
in a direct and effective way, compelling treatment and if necessary isolation until cured, or,
at any rate inoffensive to others. It is almost certain that ringworm schools will have to follow the
favus schools, and that the question of treatment by the Council will also have to be faced.
In addition to the cases dealt with in this enquiry the nurses have submitted specimens from
doubtful cases, or from cases supposed to be cured. These specimens are sent to the Medical Officer's
laboratory with ringworm and other specimens, and a positive diagnosis of favus was sent out in 104
cases thus submitted during the year.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Notifications.—Charts are given to show the weekly notifications of scarlet fever and of
diphtheria for (a) all persons and (b) for children attending public elementary schools.
The notifications of the last class cease during the holidays, with the result that the accumulation
is charted for the first week after the holiday. This has simply been stated in the charts as it occurs
without any attempt at correction or distribution. The weekly notifications are also shewn in percentages
above and below the mean.
There was a slight excess in the prevalence of scarlatina during the autumn of 1905, which gave
rise to some anxiety lest an epidemic should be threatening. At no place was there any serious outbreak,
but cases were distributed all over London, and there was no evidence of school influence.
The general rule being the appearance of three, four or five cases singly in different classes and almost
simultaneously in a school.
The discussion of school influences, the meaning of the holiday remission of notified cases, and the
mode of spread of scarlatina must be left over for the present.

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