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8
Out of 160 scholars, 55 were said to be suffering from the complaint.
So far as I could ascertain 14 of these cases belonged to
St. Martin's, the rest were in the districts of the Strand Board of
Works and St. Giles'.
I had the schoolroom thoroughly disinfected, and afterwards
white-washed.
The above facts were reported to the Local Government Board
and the London County Council.
Bacteriological Examination of Suspected Cases of
Diphtheria and Typhoid Fever.
\
In the month of February your Public Health Committee
requested me to report as to the advisability, or otherwise, of
giving medical practitioners in the parish power to obtain at the
Vestry's expense examination by a Bacteriologist of material from
suspected cases of infectious diseases. I reported in favour of
such facilities being given to medical practitioners, as often cases
of Diphtheria and Typhoid in their early stages are difficult to
diagnose, and only a bacteriological examination could clear up the
doubt.
I was further requested to communicate with the Director of
the Laboratories of the Conjoint Board of the Royal College of
Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons, Victoria Embankment,
with a view to making arrangements for the carrying out of
this scheme. I had several interviews, when it was finally
arranged that they would provide the necessary materials for such
examination, charging a fee of 3s. Gd. for each case. Your
Committee accepted these terms, which were approved of by your
Vestry.
In order to make known your decision to the medical practitioners,
letters were addressed by your Vestry Clerk and myself to
those residing in the parish, and also to those residing on the
fringe thereof, informing them of the fact, and giving details as to
the mode of procedure.