Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Borough of ]
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139
Appendix B.
SALTRAM CRESCENT HIGH SCHOOL.
(Infants' Division).
Since the commencement, of May last there have been 9 cases
of diphtheria, with 4 deaths, among the members of the "baby"
class of the Infant School, Saltram Crescent High School. From
the 9 "primary" cases there have been 7 "secondary" cases,
among the members of the families of these infants. All these
16 patients are Parishioners. I have also received information
of 4 other cases, with two deaths, among children resident in
Willesden, attending the same School and Class. The average
number of children in the "baby" class is stated to be about 45.
Tables showing the succession of cases with the dates of sickening
(as far as known) and notification are appended to this Report,
separate tables being given (a) for primary cases among Paddington
children, (b) secondary cases among residents in this Parish,
and (c) cases, not distinguishing primary and secondary, among
residents of Willesden. (Not reprinted here).
It will be noticed that there were only two cases between
May 1st and 8th, after which date a week elapsed without
further cases, when the first of the cases in Willesden was
reported. A week later, i.e., during the Whitsun Holidays,
which extended from May 22nd to June 1st, a series of five
cases were reported. It was hoped that the holidays would have
sufficed to clear off the infection, but on the 6th inst. a further
case occurred, followed by a second and a third on the 12th and
14th (?) of this month.
I have been in frequent communication with the Head Teacher
of the Infants' Class since the re-opening of the School on June
1st. The attendance in the School generally is very low, due, as
far as I can ascertain, to measles and whooping cough, and
exclusion of children by reason of the diphtheria cases now
dealt with. This morning only 7 babies attended School.
There have been no cases of diphtheria among the elder
children of the School, except such as are secondary to cases of
the baby class.
17th June, 1896.
Order made by the Sanitary Committee on 18th June, for the
closure of the Infants' Class until the 10th day of August next.