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Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
49
Diphtheria at Swaffield Road School, 1915.
The outbreak commenced in September, 1915, seven cases
being reported among children attending the School during that
month, the classes principally affected being B, C and D of the
Infants' Department. In consequence of the occurrence of these
cases a request was made from the Public Health Department to
the London County Council School Medical Officer, that all the
children in these classes be examined. The School was visited by
the London County Council School Medical Officer on the 16th and
29th September and examinations made, but no unrecognised cases
were discovered.
14 cases of Diphtheria were reported during the month of
October, one on the 5th, two on the 13th, one on the 15th, two on
the 16th, two on the 18th, one on the 19th, one on the 25th, one on
the 26th, one on the 27th, one on the 29th, and one on the 30th,
11 of these being in the Infants' Department. The children in
this Department were again examined by the School Medical Officer
on the 7th October, but no cases were discovered.
During November 17 cases were notified—three on the 2nd,
five on the 3rd, one on the 5th, two on the 6th, one on the 8th, one
on the 10th, one on the 12th, two on the 13th, and one on the 19th.
Eight of these were of children attending the Infants' Department,
hrete the Girls' Department and six the Boys' Department.
The School was visited by the School Medical Officer and the
children examined on the 1st November. Swabs were taken and
bacteriological examination resulted in five positive and five
suspicious cases being discovered. One of these was notified on the
2nd, and four on the 3rd. The school was then frequently visited
by the School Medical Officer and any suspicious case at once
swabbed. As a consequence two other cases were discovered (in
the Girls' Department) on the nth, and notified on the 13th.
Arrangements were made by the Medical Officer of the London
County Council for Medical Officers to visit the school as
d