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67
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
"The first case was notified to me on the 17th January,
and was removed to hospital on the 18th. This child, B. H.,
residing in Fawe Park Road, Wandsworth, was a scholar in
Room D, Infants' Department, Brandlehow Road School.
The first symptoms of the disease appeared on the 15th January,
and there had been no previous illness among the other
members of this family. The usual disinfection was carried
out by the staff and no further cases have occurred in this
household.
"The second case was notified on the 22nd, the patient,
A. P., a boy aged 6, was also a scholar in Room D, Infants'
Department.
"I made enquiries and ascertained that these children
attended the same department. I at once communicated with
the Medical Officer of Health, Education Department, London
County Council, and advised that the throats of the children
in this department should be examined and swabs taken if
necessary, as I was under the impression that an unrecognised
case or cases was the cause of the outbreak. The
Assistant to the Medical Officer, Education Department,
visited the school on the 24th and took 48 cultures, and on
the 25th he reported to me that two children gave a growth
of Diphtheria bacilli and eight Hoffman's, or the pseudo
Diphtheria bacillus.
"All these children were excluded from school, and the
Head Mistress was instructed by the Medical Officer to
notify all cases of sore throat to me.
"The school was ordered by the Medical Officer, Education
Department, to be closed on the 24th till the 29th, but I
informed him that it would be necessary to keep it closed for
another week so that my enquiries could be completed, and
that the disinfection might be efficiently performed.
"The names and addresses of the 10 children reported
on by the Assistant Medical Officer were noted and information
was sent to the parents of these children advising them
to call in their medical attendant.