London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

London County Council 1913

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

This page requires JavaScript

Annual Report of the London County Council, 1913.

Year.Specimens submitted.. Ringworm found.Favus found.Fungus not found.Insufficient material.
1905-698859710425730
1906-71,5781,0948433664
1907—82,175.1,7052534758
1908 (Mar. to Dec.)2,7512,2123242347
19093,0192,3433756845
19103,1162,40047093
19112,9262,1654757-
19122,8201,9914172167
19133,4641,979571,41513

Ringworm is such a troublesome and chronic complaint in childhood, and produces so much
interference with school attendance and with the educational progress of the children that it would
be a misfortune if the ultimate results of the speediest method of dealing with the disease proved
unsatisfactory. Much improvement has been effected in the methods of application of X-ray treatment
during the past two or three years. Most of the cases in which unsatisfactory results have
been recorded date from the early days of X-ray treatment.
Dr. Helen B. Hanson has reported upon the subsequent condition of the scalp in 120 children,
in the schools under her charge, who had been treated by X-rays. She found that in 20 cases there
were patches upon the scalp on which the growth of hair was scanty or otherwise unsatisfactory.
How far these results are due to the effect of the ringworm itself, and how far to the effects of the
treatment it is not always easy to determine. Of Dr. Hanson's cases 109 had been treated in two
institutions. It is possible that further investigation will prove that her experience is exceptional,
but her report makes it desirable that an investigation should be made upon a larger scale.
Favus.—Inasmuch as favus has recently shown some signs of resuscitation, chiefly in the
East End, 49 fresh cases having been discovered or reported during 1913, it will be appropriate
to review the characteristics of the disease and its history within recent years. Favus is a parasitic
disease of the hair which chiefly affects the scalp, though occasionally it is found on other parts of
the body. In London it is almost entirely of foreign importation and chiefly occurs among the
alien population in the East End. The disease is caused by a fungus which, in many respects, is
similar to that of ringworm. Its effect upon the scalp, however, is much more severe in so far as
it is more deeply rooted and consequently more resistant to ordinary treatment. X-ray treatment
is the most prompt and effective means of cure. A number of cases were found to exist among the
school population of East London in 1904. At that time there were 79 known cases of favus in
one small area in the East End of about one square mile in extent and 34 cases outside that area.
A detailed inspection of the pupils in 21 schools, situated chiefly in the affected area, resulted in the
detection of 51 further cases. The opportunity was thus presented for making a new departure in
the method of prevention of the disease by forming a special class or school for children suffering from
favus where treatment could be supervised, whilst, at the same time, school work might be carried on.
On the 28th February, 1905, the Council agreed to establish a favu3 school, and on 6th June, 1906,
the school was opened, with a roll of 61 children, in a temporary building situated in Finch Street,
Whitechapel. At first treatment was not included in the scope of the work, but the school was
supervised by a medical officer, who arranged for the heads of the children to be cleansed and
disinfected daily, and for the treatment prescribed by a hospital or private doctor to be effectually
carried out. Very little progress was made in actual cures until the Board of Education, in
August, 1907, agreed to recognise this school as a "special school " under the Elementary Education
(Defective and Epileptic) Act, 1899, as this gave the Council power to carry out treatment of the
children.

In Mav. 1908. an X-ray annaratus was installed, and thenceforward the cases were cured with comparative rapidity, as is shown in the subjoined table.

Quarter ending.Number admitted.Number left cured.Left for other reason.Returned to ordinary school cured.
1906 June59---
September---
December.12-1-
1907—March16444
June13444
September313
December1112312
1908—March1212
June65
September-64
December439-30
1909—March1611-9
June—July73838
14212316108
139