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laboratory, and of these 1,039 contained ringworm fungus and 24 proved to be
favus. 17 fresh cases of favus were discovered during the year, and 7 cases reported
in 1924 remained uncured at the beginning of 1925. Of these 24 cases 11 were
cured, 1 left school, and 12 remained under treatment at the end of the year.
Chickenpox.
The rising incidence of chicken-pox during the past two or three years became
more marked in 1925, 17,583 cases having been reported as occurring among school
children as compared with 11,826 in 1924, 13,849 (1923), 8,213 (1922), and 9,811
(1921). The school nurses specially visited 179 schools where outbreaks had occurred,
with a view to giving advice to the teachers.
There appears to be no marked seasonal influence in the prevalence of chickenpox,
although in the year under review the highest incidence was associated with
the summer months.
Mumps.
There was a decline in the prevalence of mumps during the year. 9,161 cases
having been reported as compared with 15,424 in 1924, whilst 7,916 were reported
in 1923, and 4,207 in 1922. The school nurses visited 99 affected schools for the
purpose of advising head teachers.
Ophthalmia.
After a period of prevalence in 1923 and to a less extent in 1924, the incidence
of ophthalmia reached a more normal level in 1925, 882 cases having been reported
as compared with 1,101 in 1924, 1,881 (1923), 801 (1922) and 466 (1921). If every
case of ophthalmia were promptly excluded from school, treated in the early stages
of the disease, and preventive precautions taken in the home, incidence would be
limited to sporadic cases. The assistant medical officers and school nurses are
diligent in detecting the ailment among school children and efficient treatment is
secured for the cases as they arise.
Residential
schools and
places of
detention.
The health of the children generally at the Council's residential schools and
places of detention was, on the whole, very satisfactory as regards the incidence
of infectious illness. There were a few slight outbreaks, but these were quickly
suppressed. For example, at Homerton Deaf School, Penn, Bucks, 4 cases of scarlet
fever occurred at comparatively long intervals. The first case was reported on the
14th September. A month later an assistant teacher developed the complaint, and
this case was followed, after a further interval of one month, by two additional
cases among the children. No internal source of infection could be discovered
within the school, and as a succession of cases of scarlet fever had occurred in the
surrounding countryside the outbreak was attributed to extra-school infection.
The King's Canadian Camp School came under observation owing to the occurrence
of a case of diphtheria. The patient was a newly-admitted boy who ran
away to his home and was discovered the following day to be suffering from diphtheria.
All the other members of the party, who were admitted at the same time,
were swabbed, with the result that 4 were found to be carrying diphtheria bacilli,
and were removed to hospital. None of these showed any clinical symptoms and
no further cases were reported.
At Barham Home Open-Air School, St. Leonards-on-Sea, two cases of mild
scarlet fever were reported in September. Both cases were promptly removed
to the Borough Sanatorium, and every precaution was taken to prevent further
cases arising. No developments arose.
Upton House Industrial School was affected by a slight outbreak of ringworm,
which was limited to 4 cases. The medical officer of the school suggested that,
as a routine measure, the hair of the boys at the school should always be kept
short, and his proposal was adopted.
At Elm Court School for Elder Blind Girls, a case of typhoid fever occurred,
particulars of which it may be of interest to record. The child was examined at
the school by a senior medical officer of the Council on 23rd September and was
notified to be suffering from typhoid fever. The child was removed to the SouthEastem
Fever Hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed. Enquiries were at