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1896]
52
As this disease is likely to attack children attending the Infant School, it becomcs a
matter of the utmost importance that they should be carefully examined, with the object
of excluding suspected children.
The disease usually begins with Catarrhal symptoms, running from the children's eyes
and noses, appearing as if they had caught a cold. As it is immediately very infective,
such children Bhould not bo re-admitted to their classes until they have produced a medical
certificate as to their health.
In the case of those children who aro known to be suffering from the disease, it is
most advisable that they should not be allowed back to school for the period of one month
after their convalescence, as the patient is likely to be in an infective condition for that
period. It is also most necessary that all children living in the same house as the pationts
should bo excluded from the school for a similar period.
I have also to intimate that it is most advisable during tho hours in which the school
rooms are unoccupied that tho doors and windows should be opened as widely as possible
for the purpose of ventilation, but that on the other hand during the class hours the rooms
Bhould bo kept warm and comfortable by means of open fires.
I have to acquaint you that last week no less than six deaths were registered in the
sub-district, making a total of 45 deaths since the commencement of the epidemic, from
which you can judge for yourself tho absolute nocessity that exists for adopting these most
reasonable precautions.
I am,
Yours faithfully,
(Signed), ALFRED E. HARRIS,
Mcdital Officer of Health.
Accompanying this letter was the following leaflet which you authorised me to
distribute:—
PROTECTION AGAINST MEASLES.
To Proprietors of Schools, School Managers and Teachers.
As there is every reason to believe that Measles (which is at present epidemic in the
Parish) iB spread to a considerable extent by means of Schools, the Public Health
Committee are of opinion that it is imperatively necessary that Proprietors, School
Managers and Teachers Bhould take every precaution against such disease being introduced
into their schools, and with a view of assisting them in this direction I have been desired
to make such recommendations* as might seem advisable for effecting that object, and beg
to submit the following :—
1.—That at the present tiirto nil children suffering from a running at the eyes and
nose, and showing symptoms of a cold, should be at once excluded from the
School. These aro among the first symptoms of Measles, which disease is
highly infectious, even in its earlier stages.
*This word was printed in Italics in the circular.