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epidemic was taking place in the neighbourhood of St. Paul's
Board School. On visiting the school I found that about onesixth
of the children were away, said to be suffering from this
disease. The teachers rendered me all the assistance possible,
and from them I learnt that these children were scattered over
the districts of Mile End, Poplar, and Limehouse.
Inquiries were made by the officials in the outside parishes,
and at the addresses given, and also at those in our own district,
when it was discovered that an epidemic of a severe type
existed. I therefore decided, in the interests of the remaining
scholars, to close the school at once.
On April 4th the necessary requisition under Article 88 of
the Educational Code was made to the School Board, signed
by Mr. Kerwin, Mr. Catmur, and members of the Vestry, and
by myself as Medical Officer of Health.
Due consideration was given by the School Board to it, and
the school was ordered to be closed forthwith.
Twelve days later I received an application to allow the
school to be re-opened, but the circumstances did not justify
my acceding to the request, and I deferred doing so until the
lapse of a further period of seven days. Owing to this energetic
action the spread of the epidemic was arrested.