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44
Schools, had unduly large numbers of cases, the two
first of scarlet fever, and the last of diphtheria. It
was necessary to close St. Paul's School, and the
Saltram Crescent High School (Infants' Department),
by Order of the Sanitary Authority. St Mary
Magdalene's School became infected just before the
summer holidays, and the school was voluntarily closed
a few days earlier than usual in consequence. In all
three instances, marked benefit was derived from the
closure of the school. The Reports to the Sanitary
Committee, on which the two closing orders were
based, are given in Appendix B., together with
certain observations made subsequent to the closing
of the schools. (See page 139).
The past year has emphasized the need of definite
instructions to school teachers to keep Medical Officers
of Health informed of the existence of infectious
•disease among their pupils. Measles is not a notifiable
disease, and the only information available at
present as to its prevalence in the district is the
record of deaths, which is too late to be of service.
From the number of deaths recorded, it is surmised
that there were upwards of 2,000 cases during the
earlier months of the year. It was afterwards learned
that the schools were very much affected but no
information of the fact was given at the time, and it
seems probable that many cases, if not deaths, occurred
which might otherwise have been prevented.
The Education Code contains no regulation