View report page

138
residential borough, in which he points out that it is becoming increasingly rare to
find no doctor in attendance. This principle of directing special attention to overcrowded
and insanitary areas was adopted during the prevalence last winter and
spring, and although tangible results were not altogether reflected in the mortality
figures, due probably to the greater virulence of the epidemic, there is no doubt that
this method of attack is the right one and should be pursued.
The plan of campaign is based upon the correlation of the powers of the Council
as the school authority and those of the metropolitan borough as the public health
authority. The Council undertakes to ascertain, through its school nursing service,
teachers and school attendance staff, the earliest possible information of cases of
measles. For this purpose the school nurses visit daily the schools affected with
measles as directed by the school medical officer, for the purpose of excluding any
suspected cases and of informing immediately the divisional officer (education) of
any suspicious absentees concerning whom the cause of absence is not known at
the school. Any cases of measles thus disclosed are reported at once to the borough
medical officer concerned, who arranges for removal to hospital or the provision of
domiciliary nursing assistance as the circumstances dictate.
In addition to the direct action thus taken, advisory leaflets approved by the
Council were distributed by borough medical officers through the school organisation
in all districts as they became affected.
During the 29 weeks of measles prevalence, 3,611 sessions were devoted by
school nurses to the work of supervision, which is equivalent to the whole time of
approximately 12 nurses. During the epidemic of 1925-26, in a shorter period
4,876 sessions were worked, equivalent to the full time of 28 nurses. This economy
of labour was due partly to the fact, as already stated, that the special procedure
was very largely limited to the poorer class areas, and partly to improvements in the
methods of working.

Action taken in boroughs and views of medical officers of health.—As a result
of a questionnaire sent to the borough medical officers in regard to the scheme