View report page

45
Whoopingcough.
Judging from past experience the epidemic will last until July, 1936.
During the year the school nursing staff kept under daily observation the children
in 141 schools where whooping-cough was prevalent.
At the request of Dr. A. Ferguson, medical officer of health of the borough of
Stepney, who desired to " follow up " cases of whooping-cough in their homes,
arrangements were made early in the year for the close co-operation of the teachers,
school nurses and school attendance officers in drawing immediate attention to
cases or suspected cases of the disease occurring amongst children on the rolls of the
schools in the borough and also amongst those of pre-school age in the families
concerned. Dr. Ferguson has stated that the scheme has been of definite value and
it is being continued.
Chickenpox.
Arrangements were made during the year for the school nurses to pay daily
visits for varying periods to 195 schools owing to the incidence of chickenpox amongst
children on the school rolls.
Mumps.
The incidence of mumps amongst children on the school rolls was high during 1
the first half of the year, the north-eastern and south-western areas being first
affected. The disease spread later to other districts. During the twelve months
under review 12,199 cases were reported by the head teachers, compared with a
yearly average of 7,817 during the previous 5 years.
The school nurses visited daily 251 schools for the purpose of keeping the
children under observation and advising as to the exclusion or readmission of cases
and suspects.
Scabies.
A reference to the action taken in connection with the ascertainment and
treatment of cases of scabies appears elsewhere in this report. The children at two
schools were kept under special observation for a time by school nurses on account
of the occurrence of cases of the disease amongst the children
Ringworm.

During the year, 474 specimens of hair from school children were examined
for ringworm at the laboratory at the County Hall. Ringworm fungus was
found in 128 of these (103 small spore and 25 large spore).
Favus.
Play centres.
Two cases of favus were discovered after microscopical examination.
Close co-operation has been maintained with the Play Centres Committee,
who were notified with regard to all schools where infectious illness was prevalent.
The Committee have continued the scheme for the distribution of notices warning
parents against sending children to the centres if they are unwell or are home contacts
of infectious illness.
School
journeys.
The special arrangements were continued for the medical examination of
children before departure for school journeys. Particulars of the general arrangements
made for school journeys during 1935 are set out on page 58.
Hop picking
—infectious
disease.
The Council continued the co-operation with the public health authorities in
the home counties in measures to lessen the spread of infectious disease in the hop
D