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15,424 cleansings were carried out at Council stations, and 28,460 at stations of the local sanitary
authorities. This number is an increase of 1,327, or 3.1 per cent., when compared with the number for
1914. During the year, 393 parents were fined amounts varying from 2s. to 12s. with costs.
In the report for last year it was stated that arrangements were being made to utilise ambulances
to convey children from outlying districts to the nearest cleansing station. Operations began in September,
consequently the scheme was only in force for three months during the year. During this period
464 cases have been conveyed in the two ambulances ; the employment of the ambulances, by rendering
it practicable to apply the scheme to schools in which this was not previously possible, has produced an
improvement in these schools which is not to be measured solely by the number of children thus conveyed.
Action tuken
in the homes
by lociil
authorities.
Scabies.
At each stage of the scheme a notice indicating the condition in which a child is found, is sent
to the local sanitary authority in order that action may be taken in the home under the London
Counly Council General Powers Act, 1904, Part 4.
The arrangements for the bathing of children suffering from scabies were continued. The total
number bathed during the year was 1,059. The average number of baths required to effect a cure was
six. These figures compared with those for the previous year show an increase of 460 in the number of
children cleansed and 3,130 in the number of baths given. There appears to be no doubt that owing to
war conditions scabies is on the increase, and the scheme of co-operation between the general hospitals
and the cleansing stations described last year is proving of great value.
Country
Holiday
Fund.
The school nurses again assisted the executive committee of the Children's Country Holiday Fund
by examining for the detection of any infectious disease {e.g., ringworm) or any form of uncleanliness,
the children whom it was proposed to send to the country as soon as the summer vacation began.
Secondary
schools—
Verminous
heads.
The personal hygiene scheme in girls secondary schools and kindred institutions has continued
in operation. The scheme was applied also to one boys' school, but no verminous heads were found.
The proportion of verminous heads found in the girls' schools was 5 per cent.
Examination of candidates and medical inspection in higher eduoation institutions.
The total number of candidates medically examined was 5,750, a decrease of 265 when compared
with figures for the previous year.. In addition to the foregoing examinations, 1,289 references in regard
to the health of employes in the Council's service were considered. This number shows an increase of
277, when compared with the figures for the previous year.
The medical inspection of pupils in L.C.C. training colleges and secondary and trade schools and
pupils in attendance at non-maintained secondary schools was maintained and the results are given in the
Appendix.
It has been decided that for the period of the war the children in secondary schools shall be medically
inspected not more frequently than children in elementary schools, and consequently arrangements have
been made, commencing January, 1916, for the children in the secondary schools to be examined biennially
instead of annually.
Infectious diseases.
Scarlet fever.
The increased prevalence of scarlet fever in London during 1914 was followed by a marked falling
off in the incidence of the disease during 1915. The maximum number of cases notified as occurring
among all persons during any one week was 485 (week ended 9th October), whilst in 1914 the maximum
reached was 878 cases (week ended 17th October) and in the preceding year (1913) 700 cases (week ended
1st November). Although there was no increased prevalence throughout the county, local epidemics
in the north, east, and south-west of London were responsible for a number of school outbreaks which
made considerable demands upon the time of the school doctors, 155 schools having been visited from
time to time during the year for the purpose of examining children in infected classes, and ascertaining
the sources of infection. In consequence of the persistence of scarlet fever (and diphtheria) in Swaffieldroad
school (Wandsworth) all departments were closed for three weeks in November and thoroughly
disinfected. This action was taken after repeated visits made by the school doctors. The outbreak
at this school was, however, part of a general prevalence throughout the borough of Wandsworth. The
numbers of schools and departments under observation for scarlet fever during the year were 600 and
980 respectively.
Relation
between the
curves
showing the
seasonal
prevalence of
tieas and
scarlet fever.
The result of observations made in 1915 as to the prevalence of fleas in relation to the incidence ot
scarlet fever shows that an interval of two weeks occurred between the time of maximum flea prevalence
and that of the maximum incidence of scarlet fever. In this and in the six previous years covered by
the records, the maximum for fleas invariably antedated the maximum for scarlet fever, and the interval
between the two maxima has varied between two and eleven weeks, the average being about six weeks.
The results for the years 1909-14 are shown in diagram D, facing page 47 of last year s report, and the
contours of the curves of flea and scarlet fever prevalence for 1915 are, generally speaking. similar to
those shown in that diagram. Scarlet fever has shown during recent years a wave ot prevalence with
two crests, one in 1907 and one in 1914, with a well defined trough between them. The maximum of 1914
was followed by a slight decline in 1915. The wave of flea prevalence, on the other hand, showed a crest
in 1910, and a second crest in 1913. It is deserving of note that during the three years 1913-15, the
prevalence of fleas has been ascertained by one and the same method, i.e., by the percentage of children
showing evidence of more or less recent flea bites, when seen at school medical examinations ; thus an
accurate measure of the extent of activity of fleas throughout this period is fairly well given by the records.
Limiting consideration to these three years, it may be remarked that, were the circumstances which favour
flea reproduction and the multiplication of the causal agent concerned in producing scarlet fever identical,