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98
Bacteriological Examinations.
The nature of the outbreak and the circumstances under which
it arose necessitated a large number of bacteriological examinations
for stamping out the disease. Some hundreds of swabs were
taken and submitted for bacteriological examination, and it was to
the aid derived from these examinations that the disease was
prevented from spreading.
No death occurred amongst the patients.
Conclusion.
The conclusion to be drawn from the history of this outbreak
is that in Institutions of this character there is always the risk of
infectious disease being introduced from without and spreading
amongst the pupils unless they are, preparatory to admission, especially
after the holidays and when infectious disease is prevalent,
medically examined, and in all doubtful cases a bacteriological
examination made. Children removed to the Infirmary, for any
affection of the throat, should also, as a routine practice, be
allowed to return to the school buildings only after they have
been proved, on repeated bacteriological evidence, to be free from
infection. It is, I think, clear, that so far as this outbreak is
concerned, the weight of evidence points to the child Alice
D— as being the medium by which the disease first gained
access to the schools. Had this child had a bacteriological
examination made of a swab from her throat, before returning
to school after the summer holiday, it is possible this outbreak
would not have occurred. At any rate it would be, in my opinion,
a wise precaution to adopt in connection with such Institutions,
in which highly susceptible populations are aggregated.
My thanks are due to Dr. Howell, the Medical Officer to the
Institution, for the help he rendered me in my official investigations,
and for the readiness with which he carried out any suggestions
I found it necessary to make. Dr. Howell availed
himself most fully of the facilities provided by the Council for
carrying out bacteriological examinations, and this necessitated
a very large amount of work and time. I have also to thank the
matron of the Institution (Miss Flintoff) for her courtesy and
kindness.