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103
[1897
I have also to inform the Committee that I have just received a report from Messrs.
West and Jordan, Sanitary Inspectors, that out of the 99 children excluded 57 live in
Islington, and of these 35, or 61 per cent, are ill. The remaining 22 live in the neighbouring
parish of Clerkenwell.
I am,
your obedient Servant,
ALFRED E. HARRIS,
Vestry Hall, Islington, Medical Officer of Health.
25 th October, 1897.
This report was followed on the 8th November by the following
report:—
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
Sir Madam and Gentlemen,
MEASLES.
At Richard Street Board School.
In my previous roport you will recollect that I mentioned that I was confident that
the School Board for London would supply me with a list of the scholars attending the
Infant Classes. On the 26th October I made an application to the Medical Officer of the
Board in the following terms: "Let me say that I have boon requested to make every
effort before that time (i.e., the date of the re-opening of the School) to ascertain accurately
the number of scholars who have been attacked, or who are living in houses in which
sickness exists."
"In order to facilitate this inquiry, I shall feel obliged if you will forward me a list
containing the names of all scholars attending the Infant School."
On the 2nd November I received a letter, not from Professor Smith (who acknowledged
its receipt through his clerk) with whom I had communicated in deference to the
wish expressed in the letter of the Local Government Board, of the 25th March, 1896, but
from the Clerk to the Board, in which he said, "I have further to inform you that the
Committee (i.e., the School Management Committee) regret that they are unable to accede to
your request for a list of the names and addresses of the children attending the Infant School
This was so extraordinary and inexplicable a refusal that on the same date I addressed
the following letter to the Clerk to the Board:—
Vestry Hall,
Upper Street, N.,
2nd November, 1897.
Bear Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, and
in reply I havo to express my surprise that your Board has refused to grant the
Vestry a list of the names and addresses of tho scholars attending the infant school,
Richard Street. This request has been made entirely in tho interest of the school,
so that it might not be kept closcd a day longer than was absolutely necessary,
and, on the other hand, that tho health and lives of the children might not be
jeopardised by a too early return to school.