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73
[Appendix IV.
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
The customary return of the number of inspections made, the class of amendments effected,
&c., &c., will be found in Appendix A (Table V.), p. 102.
Prevention of Infectious Disease.—The routine followed in connection with reported
cases of infectious disease has been described in-former reports. The "visits of inquiry" during
the year numbered 1,544, compared with 839 in 1899. In 1898, when "measles" was epidemic,
the total number of visits was 2,781. The inquiries and visits made by the Medical Officer of
Health are not included in the foregoing figures. In respect of patients treated at home, 83
"letters of advice," covering the prescribed extracts from the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
and the Factory and "Workshop Act, 1895, were sent out. The Department disinfected 1,002 rooms,
compared with 767 in 1899 and 1,259 in 1898, and 38i tons of bedding, &c., were removed for
disinfection and cleansing. Only 6 rooms were disinfected privately during the year.
Hospital Accommodation.—There was no delay in the removal of patients to hospital last
year.
Schools.—The notices required by the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, have been duly
issued to all local schools, and exchanged with the Medical Officers of Health of the adjacent
Parishes, as regards outlying schools.
It was necessary to close the under-mentioned schools on account of epidemic prevalence
of measles, for the periods mentioned. Copies of the special report as to each school were sent
to the Local Government Board, the London County Council, and the respective managers of the
schools.
Name of School.
Date of Order.
Date of Re-opening.
Bayswater Jewish 28th March, 1900. 23rd April, 1900.
St. Mary Magdalene 17th May, 1900. 11th June, 1900.
St. Paul 24th May, 1900. 18th June, 1900.
St. John, South Paddington 29th June, 1900. 23rd July, 1900.
St. Stephen 29th June, 1900. 23rd July, 1900.
The Medical Officer of Health was constantly in communication with the school teachers with
reference to the prevalence of measles among the families of scholars, and in the course of his visits
to the schools saw some of the children set apart by the teachers. It is this co-operation between
the school teachers and the Department which may be expected to produce the best results in
limiting the spread of measles. Such co-operation, it is believed, obviated the necessity of closing
the Campbell Street Board School, and possibly certain others.
Family Shelter.—Into the house provided for families displaced during the disinfection of
their homes 15 families were received in 1900, 6 fewer than in 1899. The families included 45
individuals, 21 adults and 24 children. As there was (generally) less infectious disease during the
year, it was a natural consequence that fewer persons required to use the accommodation provided.
Moreover, there is in successive years a variation in the incidence of disease on the occupants of
different classes of homes—i.e., number of rooms occupied. It is usually the inhabitants of single
or two-room tenements who are admitted to the shelter.
Disinfection.—Messrs. Armfield & Sons have continued to carry out the disinfection of
bedding, &c. There have been no complaints as to the condition of the goods sent home, nor has
there been any evidence that the processes employed have failed in their object. The expenditure