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During the period from April to October 449 parties of school children, with
20 to 40 children in each party, left London under the aegis of the School Journey
Association.
Special precautions are taken to prevent the spread of infectious illness amongst
the children in these school journey parties, and, in country districts, through the
agency of these parties.
The children proceeding with each party are medically examined by one of the
assistant medical officers prior to departure, and, if it is not possible for this examination
to take place on the day preceding the date of departure, arrangements are
made for a school nurse to re-examine the children on the day prior to leaving London.
Children excluded from school on account of infection in the home are not
allowed to proceed on school journeys, and all possible precautions are taken to
ensure that children suffering from an infectious illness or from symptoms suggestive
of the onset of infectious illness are not allowed to accompany the parties. Swabs
are taken for bacteriological examination if considered necessary. Special precautionary
measures are also taken where school journey parties are proceeding from schools
in districts where smallpox exists. The children are kept under careful observation
by the teachers in charge whilst on holiday, and any child presenting suspicious
symptoms is at once isolated and medical advice sought. By arrangement with
the borough medical officers of health, information is furnished regarding the occurrence
of cases of infectious illness in the homes of the children during their absence
on school journeys. Particulars of such cases are then transmitted to the teachers
in charge of the parties in order that the children may be kept under special supervision.
One case of chickenpox occurred at an industrial school, and one case of
diphtheria and another of scarlet fever at the place of detention. Appropriate action
was taken to prevent the spread of infection.
In consequence of the occurrence of several cases of ringworm among the children
at Rayner's (deaf) school, Penn, Bucks, in the early part of the year, arrangements
were made for the children at the school to be seen by one of the assistant superintendents
of school nurses. As a result three more cases of ringworm were detected.
All the infected children were removed to the Council's Goldie Leigh hospital. The
necessary precautionary measures were taken at the school.
Two cases of scarlet fever occurred at Anerley (deaf) school in April. The
patients were removed to hospital, and all necessary steps taken at the school to
prevent the spread of infection.
A case of ophthalmia was reported among the boys aI Acre Lane (M.D.) school.
The report on the measles epidemic of 1929-30, the preparation of which was
delayed owing to pressure of work, was issued in July, 1931.
This report contained a general review of the incidence, age distribution, and
mortality during the epidemic and special references to such matters as hospital
treatment, home nursing, serum treatment, and methods of control. In view of the
recurrence of measles in epidemic form at the present time, it may be of interest to
refer briefly to the conclusions to be drawn from past experience:—
Measles epidemics occur in London every two years, commencing in the
autumn and lasting for six or seven months.
The only means of preventing a measles epidemic is by the use of serum;
but, owing to practical difficulties, this preventive can, at the present time, only
be applied in very restricted communities (hospitals, residential schools, etc.).
The incidence is greatest in the age groups 1-5 and the deaths highest
in the age groups 1-3.
Practically all measles deaths result from complications (bronchopneumonia
especially), which are to a very large extent avoidable if patients
obtain adequate medical and nursing care.
Children are not sent to hospital until complications have arisen.
The younger the child the greater the risk of serious illness from
complications.
School
journeys.
Industrial
schools ar
place of
detention.
Residentia
special
schools.
Measles.