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141
From time to time representations were made that, for the sake of convenience
the Public Vaccinator should be allowed to vaccinate at the school children whose
parents had written consenting to the vaccination.
About 6,000 children at 37 schools were vaccinated at school in this way.
The number of cases of whooping cough reported from the schools during the
year was 8,592 as compared with 8,387 in 1927. The incidence in preceding years
will be found in the table on page 126. The school nurses visited sixteen schools
where outbreaks occurred, for the purpose of observation and of advising head
teachers.
Whooping
cough.
There was a considerable decrease in the number of cases of chickenpox reported
as occurring among school children during 1928, namely, 13,657 cases as compared
with 17,358 in 1927. Figures for previous years will be found in the table on page
126. The prevalence of this disease necessitated the school nurses visiting 74 schools
for the purpose of examining the children and giving advice.
Chickenpox.
Only 5,744 cases of mumps were reported by head teachers during the year
as compared with 13,876 in 1927 (see table on page 126). This disease had been more
than usually prevalent during the preceding five years, and the sudden decrease
is noteworthy. During the year 40 schools were visited by school nurses in connection
with the prevalence of the disease.
Mumps.
lhe continuous decline 01 cases of ophthalmia among school children is
eloquent of the useful work which is being carried out in connection with the
medical treatment of minor ailments in school children. Only 408 cases were
reported during the year as compared with 606 in 1926, 882 (1925), 1,101 (1924) and
1,881 (1923).
Ophthalmia.

Ringworm
and favus.
During 1928, of the specimens of hair stumps sent in by school nurses, 1,371
were examined in the Council's laboratory, and of these 482 contained ringworm
fungus (398 small spore and 84 large spore) and 3 proved to be favus.
Two fresh cases of favus were discovered during the year, one of which was
cured during the course of the year.
The arrangement by which, in November, 1925, the Metropolitan Asylums
Board provided special accommodation for children between the ages of three
and 16 years who are suffering from the sequelae of encephalitis lethargica, has
been continued. During 1928, 30 children were admitted (including 12 re-admissions)
and 32 were discharged, leaving 69 under treatment on 31st December, 1928, including
3 children who have been there since November, 1925, and 3 others who were admitted
in December, 1925. A more detailed review of encephalitis lethargica was contained
in t.hp. A n mi til Rpnnrts of the School Medical Officer for 1926 and 1927.
Encephalitis
lethargica.
The children in the Council's residential, special and industrial schools were
remarkably free from infectious diseases during the year.
There was nothing in the nature of an " outbreak " of disease at any of the
institutions. A group of 4 cases of chickenpox occurred at the Homerton Deaf
16479 K
Residential
special and
industrial
schools and
places of
detention.