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malaise or rash carefully examined and kept under observation. Fortunately
there were no secondary cases at the school.
Later in the year Tottenham and Hornsey were affected by the
influenza virus A (Asian) prevalent in this country. The first school to
be affected was in the Muswell Hill area of Hornsey where many children
were reported absent with gastric symptoms and indeed the first diganosis
considered was food poisoning, as true Asian influenza had not yet been
diagnosed in the Greater London area. Together with a virologist from
the Public Health Laboratories at Colindale, visits were made to a number
of children reported ill in their own homes and from the throats of two
of these children influenza A "Asian" was cultured. Apart from prompt
exclusion of cases, little could be done to stop the spread of illness.
The same picture was later seen repeatedly, the attack beginning in the
infant classes and spreading upwards to the juniors and seniors. The
pandemic rolled across Hornsey from north-west to south-east and
inexorably into Tottenham. Fortunately, although morbidity was very
high, mortality was very low—only one school child dying of the illness
Five school children contracted paralytic poliomyelitis during the
year of whom two were receiving physiotherapy at the end of the year.
None is so handicapped as to be likely to require special schooling.
There were no outbreaks of food poisoning or dysentery during the
year.
Tuberculosis in Schools
The year 1957 saw a further reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis
in school children, there being only three cases (all forms) compared
with seven in 1956 and 14 in 1955. These three cases were discussed
with the appropriate chest physicians, but in no instance was it considered
necessary to carry out epidemiological investigations at the school.
The patch testing programme was carried out in "entrants" on a
somewhat restricted scale, partly owing to the influenza epidemic. 591
children were so tested and of these, 19 were positive, a total of 3.2%.
Investigation of circumstances proved negative and no infective cases
were revealed in the children's families.
Since the scheme of patch testing started, some 2,000 children have
been tested, producing only one source case. The practice is not being
continued during the coming year.
B.C.G. Vaccination
B.C.G. vaccination has been carried out in the schools in the 13-14
age group following the scheme outlined in the annual reports of 1955
and 1956. The service has continued to include non-maintained schools
in the scheme, including Highgate Public School.
A total of 3,966 Tottenham and Hornsey children have now been
vaccinated under this scheme since June 1955. Mantoux positive children
72