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It should be stated that the question of closing the School for the purpose of
disinfection was also discussed, but the Medical Officer to the School Board, on the
18th of December, 1891, objected to this course being followed, (1st) because he did
not think the facts justified it, there having been only sixteen cases in the three
weeks ending December loth, thirteen of these cases being in the Infants' Department;
and (2nd) because the closing of the School would add to the scare then unnecessarily
existing, and would merely provide facilities for the children meeting and playing in
the streets, and thus directly frustrate the object in view.
Diphtheria cases, however, continued to occur, as the following statement will
demoustrate:—
In February, 1802, 6 cases were reported.
„ March „ 10 „
„ April „ 3 „
,, May,, 3,,
„ June „ 14 „
„ July „ 9 „
„ August „ 1,, (School closed.)
„ September „ 3 „
„ October „ 11 „
„ November „ 6 „
On the 27th September, 1892, the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. A. E. Harris)
received information that smells were perceptible in the Infant School Room, and on
making enquiries he then learned for the first time the history of this school with
regard to Diphtheria.
On the same date therefore, he, with the Inspector (Cowling) for the district,
visited the School and proceeded to make a thorough examination of its sanitary
fittings. He was so astonished and alarmed at the discoveries he then made, that he
wrote at once to the Clerk to the School Board as follows:—
"I have discovered very grave sanitary defects in connection with this School,
"which, in my opinion, would account for the many cases of the disease
"that have occurred therein. These defects were pointed out to one of
"your Clerks of Works, and to the Vicar of the district, who is one of the
"School Managers. Further investigations will be made to-morrow. In
" my opinion the Infant School should not be occupied."
The examination was continued next day (28th September) and the defects discovered
were communicated to the School Board on the 28th September. This letter
crossed a communication from that Board, in which your Medical Officer was
requested "to state what are the grave sanitary defects in connection with the above
"School, as the Board are informed by their expert that only certain improvements
"are needed to meet modern requirements. There is nothing to show that any
"leakage into the School occurs, or reason to suppose that Diphtheria is caused by
"any defect in the building."