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During the year only four fresh cases of favus were discovered.
The outbreak of influenza, referred to in the report for 1921, which commenced
towards the close of that year and reached its height about the middle of January,
1922, had subsided by the end of February. The type of illness was not so severe
as that experienced during the pandemic of 1918-19, but considerable loss of school
attendance was entailed in certain districts. Gastric symptoms, evanescent rashes
and jaundice were the special features associated with the outbreak. After the
cessation of this outbreak influenza was quiescent for the remainder of the year.
Influenza.
Two distinct outbreaks of smallpox occurred in London during the year, one
in the summer and the other in the autumn, comprising 65 cases (including one discovered
at Westeliff-on-Sea), of which 20 died. Only four children were attacked,
three attended the Council's elementary schools and the fourth a secondary school
not maintained by the Council. All schools in the affected areas were kept under
strict observation and every precaution taken. Vaccination of school children was
extensively carried out by special arrangement with public vaccinators on the school
premises and in all some 25,000 children were vaccinated of whom 55 per cent. had
not previously been vaccinated. These outbreaks are referred to in more detail in
the first part of the annual report of the County Medical Officer of Health.
Smallpox.
Residential Special and Industrial Schools.
The health of the children in the Council's residential schools was on the whole
satisfactory as far as infectious disease is concerned. No serious outbreaks of dangerous
infectious illness occurred. There was, however, an outbreak of scalp ringworm
at Ravners Deaf School, Penn, Bucks, where twelve such cases occurred. Special
visits to the school were made by one of the Council's assistant superintendents of
nurses and by radical measures, e.g., treatment by X-rays, etc., the outbreak was
suppressed.
Examination of Candidates.
The number of candidates submitting themselves for first examination during the
year was 5,496, but some of these attended for their first examination in the previous
year. The total number of examinations was 6,514. The candidates may be
classified as (a) candidates for entrance to the permanent service, (b) candidates for
the award of scholarships.
The total number of candidates examined was 683 (295 males and 388 females),
but of these candidates 20 attended for their first examination in the previous year.
There were, however, 771 examinations (327 males and 441 females); in 83 cases
(28 males and 55 females) a second or third examination was necessary. Of the
number thus referred, remedial treatment was satisfactorily obtained in 64 cases;
2 were rejected; 6 withdrew their applications; and 11 were still under consideration
at the end of the year. The total number of rejections was 12. The reasons for
rejections were, vision, 4; heart, 2; miscellaneous, 6.
Candidates
for permanent
service.
The scholarships and awards granted by the Council tall into three divisions,
each of which requires different treatment in so far as the medical examination of
candidates is concerned, (a) County scholarships enabling candidates to proceed
to institutions of university rank; (b) Technical scholarships enabling candidates to
receive instruction in trades, and special scholarships; (c) Awards enabling candidates
to prepare for the teaching profession.
The total number of candidates examined was 4,813; these include 14 who
attended for their first examination in the previous year. There were, however,
5,743 examinations, the excess being due to the fact that in 820 cases a second or
third examination was necessary; 787 obtained satisfactory treatment and were on
re-examination certified as fit. 116 candidates were found to be unfit; of these 19
were rejected for two defects each and 1 for three defects; 99 were rejected as the
result of their first examination and 17 as the result of subsequent examinations.
The reasons for rejections were:—Defective vision 58; unsatisfactory personal
Candidates
for the award
of scholarships.