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100
1897]
These reports were as follows :—
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
Sir, Madam and Gentlemen,
OUTBREAK OF MEASLES IN THE INFANTS' DEPARTMENT OF THE
RICHARD STREET BOARD SCHOOL.
I regret to have to report that a serious outbreak of Measles has taken place in the
Infant Class of the Richard Street Board School, so that up to Friday, the 22nd instant,
no less than 99 children have been excluded from attendance because of the presence
of this disease in their homes, or because they themselves had been attacked with it.
The discovery of the outbreak was quite accidental. It happened in this way : It was
my duty on Friday last to visit a child (living in Trinity Street) who was reported to have
been allowed to play in the streets while in a state of desquamation after Scarlet Fever.
Mr. Saunders, the Superintendent of Visitors of the School Board, Finsbury District, and
also a member of the Public Health Committee of this Vestry, had previously written to
me as to the disinfection of the house in which she lived. As it was situated immediately
opposite his office in Trinity Street, I called on him, to save the trouble of writing, to give
him the information he had sought. In course of conversation he casually remarked on the
large number of cases of Measles in Richard Street Infant School close at hand. Having
expressed my surprise that no one had informed me of it, I at once visited the School and had
an interview with the Head Teacher of the Infant School, who very courteously promised
to supply me, and did subsequently supply me, with a full list of the children who had been
excluded through Measles up to and including that date (22nd instant).
Next morning (Saturday) I sent the following telegram to the Medical Officer of the
School Board;—
"Medical Officer,
"School Board,
"I advise immediate closing of Richard Street Infant School in which there
"is an outbreak of Measles. Ninety-nine children at present excluded from the
" School.
"HARRIS,
"Medical Officer,
"Islington.
I also addressed the following letter to the Rev. J. H. Rose,* Chairman of Managers
of the School:—
* I have since discovered that this gentleman has retired from the position, but he
forwarded the letter to the present Chairman of Managers.