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101
[1897
"Vestry Hall,
Upper Street, N.
23rd October, 1897.
"Dear Sir,
"I beg to inform you of a serious outbreak of Measles in the Infants
"Department of the Richard Street Board School, and I have to adviso that this
"portion of the School be immediately closed.
"I have already wired to this effect to the Medical Officer of the School
"Board for London.
I am,
"Yours faithfully,
"(Signed) A. E. HARRIS.
"Medical Officer of Health.
"Rev. J. H. Rosb,
"Chairman of Managers of the
"Richard Street Board Schools."
1 have given the question of the closing of the Infant School my most careful consideration,
and I am, thereforn, now prepared to advise that you call on the Managers of the
Richard Street Board Schools, under the provisions of Article 88 of the Code of Regulations
for Day Schools, 1897, to close the Infants' Department for a period of three weeks, dating
from the 23rd instant.
In fixing this period I am to an extent guided by Article 148 (v) of the " Code of
Regulations and Instructions," &c., of the School Board for London, which says that—
"Children suffering from Mumps or Measles must be excluded for a month."
It seems to me, however, if, shortly before the end of the three weeks, every
house in which the childrer attending the Infant School live were visited, that I would then
bo in a position to advise as to the possibility of re-opening the School at the end of the
shorter period. In order, however, to be able to do this it will be necessary for the School
Board to furnish me with a complete list of the names and addresses of the infant scholars.
I am confident that this information will be gladly afforded, as it is entirely in the interest
of the School that the visits should be made.
If, on inquiry, it is found that the cases of Measles are few in number, it will be
possible to re-open the School, but if it should be discovered that the disease is still
prevalent, then, of course, it would be necessary to keep it closed for a longer period.
It is not for me to apportion blame to any person serving another Board, but I am
certain that you will agree with me that there has been very great remissness on the part
of the School Authorities in not sending information to me, as Medical Officer of Health,
of all cases of Measles as they occurred.
In the "Code of Regulations and Instructions for the Guidance of Managers
Correspondents and Teachers," it is laid down in Regulation 148 (ii.) that—
"Any child showing symptoms of an infectious disease, or any child coming
"from a house where an infectious disease exists, must be sent home at once, and
"the Superintendent of Visitors must be immediately informed of the case, in