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Mr. W. T. Russell, F.S.S. (Medical Research Council), assistant in the division
of epidemiology and vital statistics, University of London, has very kindly examined
these statistics, and his comments are as follows:—
Comparing the experience at Shirley school (the larger series) during 1932-33 with that
during 1934-35, it would appear that the second course suggests success with immunisation.
But it will be noted that there were 379 children out of a total of 520 who had an acquired or natural
immunity in 1934 (there were 442 tested of which 63 were positive and hence 379 immunes).
This high proportion of immunes, nearly 80 per cent. would accrue as an inevitable result of the
severe infection in 1932 and 1933, when there were 35 and 41 cases of scarlet fever. Hence,
with such a high percentage of immune children in the population in 1934 one would scarcely
expect much scarlet fever in 1934 and 1935. Furthermore, there is the additional difficulty
of delayed parental consent to immunisation.
In the circumstances no conclusions can be drawn from the present data.
Disinfection
of water in
swimming
baths at
residential
schools.
During the year experiments were carried out by Dr. J. E. McCartney, director
of research and pathological services, to ascertain the best method to be adopted
for the sterilisation of the water in the swimming baths at the Council's residential
schools, and a simple procedure was devised for testing the sterility of the water,
and for carrying out any necessary treatment.
The chloramine method was employed, using ammonium sulphate followed
by "chloros." Three parts of chlorine per million can be used without affecting
the taste or smell of the water. In order to ensure thorough mixing, so essential
for the proper working of the method, a weighted board was devised, which was
towed the length of the bath several times.
The water was tested for the presence of chlorine by an orthotolidine reagent.
When the chlorine content was below .2 parts per million, the bath was re-treated
with ammonium sulphate and chloros.
The chemicals are supplied direct from the Southern group laboratory in
amounts calculated for the size of each individual swimming bath. Detailed
instructions were sent to the schools and a demonstration was given to the officers
concerned.
The method has resulted in keeping the baths free from micro-organisms, and
has prolonged the time between renewals of the water.
Open-air education.
The first open-air school in this country was established by the London County
Council in Bostall Woods in the year 1907.
Throughout the nineteenth century tuberculosis, which was rife, was considered
an incurable disease. In 1815, Sir Thomas Young, one of the leading English
physicians said: "Even with the utmost powers of art perhaps not more than one
case in one hundred will be found curable."
The art to which Sir Thomas Young referred universally consisted in wrapping
up in heavy clothes every tuberculous individual as well as those regarded as likely
to become tuberculous, in keeping them in a confined and heated atmosphere and in
guarding them against exposure to the fresh air as carefully as against the Evil One.
Under this treatment the threatened attack usually supervened and was taken
to prove how prescient and wise was the medical attendant who feared and prophesied
it.