London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

London County Council 1906

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Table: The following table shows the number of closures during the year and also the number of departments under observation for the various diseases :—

The following table shows the number of closures during the year and also the number of departments under observation for the various diseases :—

Department.DISEASE.
Diphtheria.Scarlet Fever.Measles.Humps.Chicken Pox.Small Pox.
Number unde Observation.Classrooms Closed.Departments Closed.Number Under Observation.Classrooms Closed.Departments Closed.Number Under Observation.Classrooms ClosedDepartments Closed.Classrooms Closed.Departments Closed.Classrooms Closed.Departments ClosedClasrooms Closed.Departments Closed.
Boys'Provided15——485---------1
Non-provided4--13-----------
Girls'.Provided20——8112---------1
Non-provided4—-2231---------
Mixed.Provided13—119—1—————————
Non-provided1--13-----------
Infants'Provided86—1198162356406-—---1
Non-provided13-168—2150129—11———

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Thirteen of the above closures were carried out by order of the Local Sanitary Authorities
(including the three departments for diphtheria), viz.:—Lewisham, 9 ; Chelsea, 3; Westminster, 1.

Table: In the case of measles, the disease for which most frequent class closure is required, the numbers of classrooms and departments closed in infants' schools were distributed through the year as follows:—

In the case of measles, the disease for which most frequent class closure is required, the numbers of classrooms and departments closed in infants' schools were distributed through the year as follows:—

Month.1906.1907.
Apl.MayJuneJulyAug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Mar.
Classrooms.P16125——11-365
N-P1431——11-——1
Departments.P21-1-----11—
N-P.23-2——1————1
Schools affected.P36125——11—475
N-P.3733——21———2

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Miscellaneous Closures.—Br oomsleigh-street School (Hampstead) was closed three
days before the summer holidays at the urgent request of the Medical Officer of Health for the district
on account of the prevalence of scarlet fever.
Christ Church School (Southwark).—Infants' department. Closed by the Managers, on the
advice of the Medical Officer of Health for the district, for three days before the summer holidays
on account of the prevalence of scarlet fever.
St. Marys and Christ Church Schools (Lewisham).—Closed by order of the Medical Officer of Health
for the district on account of the unhealthy conditions of the drains.
" Wanile " School. Wandsworth.—Closed for a few days before the Easter holidays owing to
the basement being water-logged and the consequent ill-health of the children and teachers.
Closure for Disinfection.—The following closures were carried out for the purpose of
disinfection only, but in no case did closure extend beyond four days.
Scarlet Fewer.—One classroom in Girls' department; two classrooms in Infants' department ;
one Girls' department.
Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria.—Two classrooms in Infants' department.
Epidemic Grant.—The omitted epidemic grant still remains a blot on the history of our
Educational administration. It is of such serious importance that the warnings of previous reports
written in vain are worth repeating.
" 1903, p. 9." Abolition of Grant. Unfortunately the Elementary Education Code has
recently been modified and no further grants are to be paid under Art. 101*. This announcement
came upon everyone interested in epidemic disease as a perfectly incomprehensible decision for which
the reasons assigned were quite inadequate.