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The visits for measles took place before the measles scheme of control described
later was applied.

It will be seen that the number of fresh cases of ringworm is still diminishing, and
that at the end of 1931 there were only 107 outstanding cases. It will be observed,
however, that the percentage of cures effected by X-ray treatment, after remaining
consistently at over 70 for some years, shows a decline. It is difficult to state the
reason for this, but, from enquiries that have been made, it would appear that the
drop is due to a variety of causes. In some districts a prejudice against the use of
X-ray treatment is reported. Parents are stated to have preferred to take their
children to their own doctors and to receive lotion or ointment treatment. It is
also reported that some hospitals to which the children are taken do not provide
treatment by means of X-rays. It is gratifying to know that the number of cases
at the end of the year was one-ninth of the number existing ten years ago.
During the year, 876 specimens of hair stumps were sent by the school nurses to
the laboratory at the County Hall for microscopical examination. Ringworm
fungus was found to be present in 282 of these (220 small spore and 62 large spore).
Favus was found to be present in two specimens. Both the affected children were
subsequently cured.
Precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious disease through the
attendance of children at the evening play centres, which are usually held on school
premises. The head teachers of the schools are required to notify the superintendents
of the evening play centres of children who are absent or excluded from school on
account of infection, in order that steps may be taken to secure that such children
are excluded from the play centres. In addition parents are warned in the notices
of exclusion issued from the schools that children who are excluded from school on
account of infectious illness, or suspected infectious illness, should not attend these
centres. The whole of the arrangements were carefully reviewed during the year,
in consultation with the Play Centres Committee, in order that every possible step
might be taken to ensure that infectious disease was not spread through the medium
of the centres.
The Play Centres Committee, who were very anxious to co-operate, agreed to
print notices and distribute them twice yearly to the parents or guardians of all the
children attending the centres, drawing attention to the importance of ensuring that
children do not attend the centres if they are unwell or are absent from school owing
to infection in the home. The superintendents of the play centres were also specially
asked by the Play Centres Committee to exercise every care to ensure that no child
is admitted to a play centre who is excluded from school on account of infectious
illness.
Favus.
Play centres.