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57
[1896
In reply, I am to inform tho Vestry that since tho circular which was issued with ths
Medical Officer of Health's letter of the 16th January last to the Proprietors of Schools
School Managers and Teachers and which appears to havo heen limited to the case of
Measles, was only in the form of advice and recommendation, the Board consider that the
Medical Officer of Health merely fulGlled his duty which devolves upon him under
Article 18 (6) of the Board's General Order of 8th December, 1891.
I am at the same time to state that in view of the instructions to which reference is
made in the letter of the Clerk to the School Board of the 4th ultimo, and whioh, as the
Board assume, relate to cases of notifiable disease as well as to those which are not
notifiable, it may be well for the Vet try, in dealing with the subject of infectious diseases
of the former olass, to consider whether, as regards cases in which they may in the future
bo advised that the exclusion of particular children is desirable, they should not rely upon
the exercise of their powers under Article 88 of the Education Code. I am, however, to
add that in any case where tho Medical Officer of Health finds it expedient to tako such
uction as in the present instance, the Board consider that it is very desirable that he should
communicate with the Medical Officer of Health of tho School Board on the subject, with a
view to secure as far as possible his co-operation in the matter.
I am, Sir,
Your obediont Servant,
(Signed) C. N. DALTON,
Assistant Secretary.
There can bo no doubt that the latter clause of this letter will be read
with amazement by Medical Officers of Health, for if its suggestion be
carried into effect, then it will at once cripple their hands in dealing
promptly with infectious diseases, which, although they are non-notifiable, yet
are frequently much more fatal than those which are. If this clause means
anything, it means that London Medical Officers of Health cannot proceed
to perform their duties—the duties laid down most definitely in the Board's
own Order—quickly and expeditiously without first consulting the irresponsible
Medical Officer of the London School Board. The health interests of
this great metropolis must wait until such period as ho amidst his many
duties, can spare time to attend to those other duties for which he was never
appointed. In matters of this kind delays are dangerous, and that delays
will occur is certain, for already his time is so fully employed, that when
this question of Measles was a burning one in this district it was not
enquired into by himself, but by his assistant. No one doubts his ability,
that is beyond dispute, but he cannot do everything, more especially when
the fact is taken into consideration that he already holds at least five
different public appointments.