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131 [1904
but mainly from the head teachers of the infant departments. The teachers
make these notifications in compliance with their School Code, which requires
them to inform the Medical Officer of Health of the Borough, in which the
school is situated, of the absence of any scholar through Measles, Whooping
Cough, Chicken Pox, and Mumps.
Measles.—355 cases of Measles were notified by the teachers, of which 36
occurred at Montem Street, 34 at Buckingham Street, 32 at Holy Trinity, 24 at
Forster, 22 at Station Road, and 12 at Ambler Road Schools. The number
of schools invaded was 39.
Chicken Pox.—182 cases were notified by teachers, in addition to those
cases that were reported by medical practitioners under the order of the
London County Council, to which reference has already been made. The
principal schools invaded were St. Philip's 27 cases, Buckingham Street 19
cases, Newington Green 19 cases, Westbourne Road 15 cases, Rotherfield
Street, 14 cases, and Gillespie Road 13 cases. Altogether 28 schools were
invaded.
Whooping Cough.—A very large number was reported, namely, 1293.
The disease was particularly prevalent among the scholars of Yerbury Road
School, whence 107 cases were notified. Other schools were also heavily
affected, namely, Blackstock Road 69 cases, Buckingham Street 61, Cottenham
Road 59, Gillespie Road 69, Gifford Street 57, Hungerford Road 56, Montem
Street 48, Poole's Park 44, Rotherfield Street 67, Station Road 56, St. Philip's
61, Upper Hornsey Road 48, and Westbourne Road 54. As many as 46
schools were invaded.
It is a remarkable fact that although so many cases of Whooping Cough
were known yet the mortality was the lowest on record.
Mumps and Other Diseases were notified in 595 instances.
It is a pleasure to be able to record once more that the head teachers,
particularly those of the infant schools, have continued to render valuable
assistance in the preservation of the health of the public by their action in
sending information to the Medical Officer of Health as to the presence of
infectious diseases among their pupils or at their homes. This information
has, however, in some instances been delayed until it was of little
use. To be valuable it should be sent immediately. Unfortunately, some
teachers have not sent the notification until, apparently, they have been
frightened by the number of cases that kept cropping up, when they reported
them in a batch. Nevertheless, the sincerest thanks of the Public Health
Department is tendered to the teachers as a body for their assistance.
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