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from Vicarage Road School by the teacher who noticed that
his hands were peeling. I was informed, and on visiting the
boy found that he was desquamating from Scarlet Fever, and
had been at home a few days previously with a very slight
rash, supposed to be nettle rash.
21. Concealed Gases and Wilful Exposure.—In another case
a boy was sent home from Earl Street School by the master
because his hands were peeling. He was taken on foot next
day to see a medical man. The case having been duly notified
as Scarlet Fever, it was found that the boy was not being
carefully isolated, and on my report, the Health Committee
determined to prosecute for wilful exposure of the boy by being
taken to see a doctor after having been told by the schoolmaster
that he was suffering from Scarlet Fever. The Magistrate
refused, however, to convict, believing that the exposure was
not wilful.
Four children belonging to one family were sent home
peeling from Bloomfield Road School; in these cases I believe
there was deliberate concealment of the disease on the part of
the parent, but there was no evidence to shew this.
But in another case sent home peeling from Eglinton Road
School, there was not only good reason to think that the parent
had deliberately concealed the existence of the Fever, but after
notification and the usual warning, she persisted in exposing
the child in the streets; she was accordingly summoned, and
being convicted of wilful exposure, was fined £1 and costs. I
attended the Police Court and gave evidence as to the existence
of Scarlet Fever and obstruction on the part of the parent
when I called to see the child. The exposure was proved by
the child's schoolfellows.
The various teachers, who, by their watchfulness, were
enabled to detect these cases, and so prevent further spread of