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92
Whooping
cough.
The number of cases of whooping cough reported from the schools (3,239) was
the lowest figure recorded for many years. The school nurses visited eight schools
where outbreaks occurred for the purpose of keeping the children under observation
and advising the head teachers as to exclusion or re-admission of children to school.
Chickenpox.
The number of cases of chickenpox reported during recent years is given in the
preceding tabular statement. The number reported (13,573) approximates to the
numbers recorded during each of the preceding seven years except 1925 and 1927.
The figure is, however, considerably above the average for the four years 1919-22,
viz., 8,530. In all 77 schools affected with chickenpox were kept under special
supervision by the school nursing staff for varying periods.
Mumps.
A large decrease in the number of cases of mumps as compared with 1929 will
be noted in the foregoing statement. The school nurses visited 65 schools where
mumps was prevalent.
Ophthalmia.
The term ophthalmia is used in a general sense by the teachers to indicate any
affections of the eyes and it must not be assumed that a definite diagnosis was made
in each of the cases reported. Special attention is directed to each case reported
with a view to arrangements beine made for DroDer treatment.
Ringworm
The number of cases of ringworm of the scalp amongst the children in the
Council's schools is still decreasing and at the end of 1930 there were only 110 outstanding
cases. The results achieved in virtually eliminating this troublesome
affection from the schools are attributable to the care exercised by the school nursing
staff in detecting the cases in their earliest stages, to the work done in connection
with " following up," and to X-ray treatment.
Favus.

During the year, 930 specimens of hair stumps were sent by the school nurses
to the Council's laboratory for microscopical examination. Ringworm fungus was
found to be present in 300 of these (238 small spore and 54 large spore); favus was
found to be present in 8 specimens.
Four fresh cases of favus were found during the year. Three of these were
cured.

*(1) Special cases where individual notes are made. (2) Cases seen en masse where individual notes
are not made unless noted for treatment or observation, e.g., camp school nominations, school journey
children. etc. (Infectious disease contacts are not included in this figure.)