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29
412, Bethnal Green Road, E.
Sir,
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your communication re Whooping
Cough and Mumps. It is undoubtedly possible for the infective
matter of these diseases to be carried in clothing, but I should not
consider it necessary to exclude children from school who reside in
houses where such diseases exist, such cases however should be registered
and carefully watched, they should be sent home on the first
symptom of illness without waiting for anything special to develop.
Symptoms of Infectious Disease.—I think some of these descriptions
might be improved. One of the earliest symptoms of Smallpox is
great pain in the back and sickness, these symptoms frequently disappear
when the rash comes out on the third day of the fever, the
patient then thinks he is getting better and sometimes attempts to go
out and follow his usual avocation. I would say nothing about rash
in Typhus and Typhoid Fevers as this is a late symptom in both
these diseases; frequently the only symptoms a non-professional
observer would notice in Typhoid would be lassitude and some
heat of skin. It would be a good plan to provide every Head
Teacher with a clinical thermometer, he could be taught how to use
?t in five minutes by a medical man; any child shewing a temperature
of 100° Far. should be sent home at once, and directed to apply for
medical advice.
Over-pressure.—I have not much experience in this, but I believe
he symptoms classed under this head are more often due to defective
home sanitation than to over-work. I have had several cases of
Meningitis in which excessive home lessons might have caused the
symptoms to appear somewhat earlier than they ordinarily would
lave done, but in each case the child was predisposed to disease.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Yours obediently,
H. Croad, Esq. GEORGE PADDOCK BATE.
The subject was discussed by the Members of the Society of
Medical Officers of Health, and the following letter was sent to
Mr. Croad:—
Society of Medical Officers of Health,
Scottish Corporation Hall,
Crane Court, Fleet Street, E.C.
April, 1886.
Sir,
The Society of Medical Officers of Health have had under
consideration a letter addressed to their Metropolitan members by
our Board, asking for information concerning certain infectious