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The following schools came under my notice in connection with the prevalence
of infectious disease amongst the scholars:—
Shap Street School.—Class-room A of the infants' department was closed by
the Medical Officer (Education) on account of the prevalence of measles amongst
the children. There was a large percentage of absentees chiefly on account of the
disease mentioned. The usual steps as to disinfection were taken by the Sanitary
Authority.
Canal Road School.—Attention was directed to the infants' department by reason
of the number of cases of measles amongst the children, but after enquiry no action
appeared necessary.
Scawfell Street School.—A child whilst suffering from scarlet fever was found
to have been attending the infants' department. The necessary measures for disinfection
were taken.
Redvers Street School.—Class-room E of the boys' department was closed by
the Medical Officer (Education). There were some cases of scarlet fever discovered
amongst the boys in this room, and it was thought advisable for the room and its
contents to be disinfected.
St. John's Road School.—Class-rooms F, G, H and I of the infants' department
were closed shortly before the Christmas holidays and disinfected. Cases of scarlet
fever were occurring amongst the children, more especially amongst those in room H.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Bacteriological examinations were made by Dr. Bulloch at the London Hospital
Medical School in 31 cases of suspected infectious disease. In 18 the disease
suspected was diphtheria, in 8 it was typhoid fever, in 3 consumption, and in 2
cerebro-spinal fever. The results were positive as to the presence of1 the specific
micro-organism in 1 case of enteric or typhoid fever, in 4 cases of diphtheria, and
in 1 case of consumption.
Two samples of tinned condensed milk were also examined, one of which was
found to contain enormous numbers of micro-organisms likely to be injurious to
health.
DISINFECTION.
During 1907 disinfection was carried out at 1,688 premises, a considerable
increase on the number for last year. The articles removed and disinfected at the
Borough disinfecting station numbered 34,095, as compared with 26,693 in 1906,
33,745 in 1905, 14,063 in 1904, 8,911 in 1903, 55,025 in 1902, and 17,226 in 1901.
The articles disinfected included 1,906 beds, 2,349 mattresses, 3,697 pillows, 1428
bolsters, and 24,715 miscellaneous articles, including clothing, linen, carpets, curtains,
and the like. In some cases infected bedding was found to be so contaminated and
in such a worn and filthy state that it had to be destroyed. Articles so destroyed
were replaced to the extent of 5 beds, 13½ mattresses, 1 bolster and 2 pillows.
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