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It is interesting to note that as a result of investigation of strongly
Mantoux positive children and their families at the Chest Clinic, two cases
of tuberculosis were discovered;
1. a girl of 13 was Mantoux tested at school and found by X-ray to
have early tuberculosis and was admitted to Highwood Hospital.
In January 1959 she was reported as fit to return to school on
chemotherapy.
2. a boy of 13 was found to be strongly tuberculin positive. His
X-ray was clear but that of his father showed bilateral active
pulmonary tuberculosis and he was admitted to hospital for
treatment.
Tuberculosis in Schools
During 1958 a total of six cases of tuberculosis were notified in school
children, five pulmonary and one of bone. This compares with three in
the previous year and seven and fourteen in 1956 and 1955 respectively.
These cases were discussed with the appropriate chest physicians and in
two instances epidemiological investigations were considered necessary
at the school.
1. A case of pulmonary tuberculosis was discovered in a senior pupil
at a special school in Tottenham. This boy's parents had not
accepted the offer of B.C.G. vaccination for him. Following on
consultation with the chest physician, it was decided to undertake
epidemiological investigations at this school. As a result of skin
testing, four children were found to be tuberculin positive. These
plus seven children who had had B.C.G. and two who had tuberculous
meningitis, in all of whom the tuberculin test was of no
value, were referred for X-ray. In addition, all of the teaching
and domestic staff were X-rayed. In all cases X-rays were negative,
but in view of the highly infective nature of the primary case, the
chest physician has asked for a repeat X-ray of the children early
in the new year.
2. Following the notification of a case of tuberculosis in a girl attending
a primary school in Hornsey, epidemiological investigations were
undertaken at the school. As a result of skin testing of her classmates,
all the children were found to be Mantoux negative and no
further action was, therefore, necessary. All the teaching and
domestic staff were X-rayed and found to be fit.
School Nursing Service
The field covered by the school nurse has included preparation for and
attendance at routine medical inspections of school children, attendance
at various specialist and minor ailment clinics, certain home visits to
parents of school children including those required for the follow-up of
defaulters from clinics, home reports for hospitals or for the giving of
advice to parents.
Every school was visited at the beginning of each term in order to
carry out hygiene inspections and further visits were made as often as
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