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95
Scarlet Fever in Schools.
On 24th December a request was received from the Medical Officer
(Education) of the London County Council for the disinfection of Classroom
B of the Girls' Department of Knapp Road School to be carried out
by the Department during the Christmas Holidays, on account of scarlet
fever.
On the 28th December a request was received from the Medical
Officer (Education) of the London County Council for the disinfection, on
account of scarlet fever, of the Infants' Department of Malmesbury Road
School, to be carried out during the Christmas Holidays.
Proposed Local Government Board Inquiry.
The Holborn Borough Council called attention to a resolution
recently adopted by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, as follows, viz.:—
"That in view of the continued prevalence of scarlet fever,
notwithstanding the extensive isolation accommodation which has
been provided, the Local Government Board be asked to cause an
inquiry to be instituted into the cause of this disease, and whether
any, and if so, what further means can be adopted for its
prevention."
The Holborn Borough Council communicated with the Local Government
Board in support of the application for an inquiry, and suggested
similar action should be taken by other Borough Councils. In 1890 the
number of cases of scarlet fever in London notified was 15,330, of which
6,537 were admitted to the Asylums Board's Hospitals. In 1907, 21,154
cases were notified, and 18,922 were removed to the Hospitals. The
rates per 1,000 of population of cases notified increased from 37 in 1890
to 4-5 in 1907, and the percentage of hospital admissions to notifications
increased from 42.6 in 1890 to 89.5 in 1907.
The Public Health and Housing Committee were of opinion it is
desirable an inquiry should be instituted as proposed, and recommended the
Council to concur in this opinion and the Local Government Board be so
informed.