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issued it may be advisable in the light of fresh information as to its mode of spread and like
matters, to reconsider some of the details regarding the length of time of exclusion of contacts,
the value of disinfection, etc. The Public Health Committee made the following report to the
Council on November 7th:-
Measles —Exclusion of Scholars from School.
We report the receipt of letter from London County Council adverting to this
Council's letter of the 3rd July, 1905, and stating that the Committee have had under
consideration the question of the exclusion from school of children coming from houses
where there has been an outbreak of measles, and that they are desirous of minimising
any risk of infection among the scholars in the schools. With that view they propose
m respect of schools or class rooms closed on account of the prevalence of measles
among the scholars to issue a notice to parents warning them of the possibly dangerous
nature and very contagious character of the disease, and of the necessity of preventing
children suffering from it going into public places or coming into contact with other
children. The London County Council add that with regard to children coming from
houses where measles exists, it is the practice of teachers to exclude them from school
for a period of two weeks from the date of the occurrence of the last case.
We have given instructions for a reply to be sent to the County Council stating
that we still consider that the practice adopted by our Medical Officer, i.e., excluding
patients for one month from commencement of the illness and contacts 3 weeks,
subject to a certificate as to disinfection being produced, is preferable to the procedure
adopted by the County Council, and we trust they will again consider the matter with
a view to altering their regulations; farther, in regard to notices to parents.it has
been the practice for some considerable time for this Council, to issue warning notices
to parents. °
Chickenpox.
ThiS disease was not notifiable durin S 1905, but 159 children were excluded from school
as suffering from this disease against 156 in 1904.
Membraneous Croup.
There were no notifications of this disease.
Notification of Phthisis.
54 cases of phthisis were voluntarily notified during 1905. These were notifications of
fresh cases the corresponding number in 1904 being 128. This diminution is what might
partly be anticipated since payment is not made for re-notification of same case. All these were
visited by myself but regular disinfection was carried out in only 18 cases. The most which
people could be prevailed upon to do was to wash floors, oilcloths, etc., with strong solution of
carbolic, and cleanse the walls about the patient's bed and boil those articles in use which could
be subjected to this process. The usual leaflet was also sent to each case and particulars
obtained as to the illness. The total disinfections carried out in this disease were 57.
The annexed table gives the occupation of all cases notified up to the end of 1905.
I feel confident that voluntary notification is very useful, and that those patients who are
thus rendered accessible to instruction have profited both personally and as to their families.
I think in London that it should be universally adopted and followed later by compulsory
notification. I hope also to see at no distant date accommodation provided for the poorer eases
and suitable for cases that can be relieved or cured, and also for incurable cases. The latter
accommodation is most urgently needed.