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Tests showed the 3 adults to be carriers of virulent bacilli. In 87 cultures
obtained from children, 72 were virulent, and 15 avirulent. Of the 10 ear cultures,
only 1 proved virulent.
In 5 of the 15 schools investigated on account of diphtheria not one positive
result was obtained among 163 children examined. In the other 10 schools, 1,420
children were examined, yielding 95 positive results (74 virulent) with a virulent
carrier rate of over 7 per school, and an average of 5 per cent, among those examined.
The proportion of carriers found varied considerably in different schools, from
14 positive out of 87 or 16 per cent., to 7 out of 200 or 3-5 per cent, of the children
examined.
All the cases in which diphtheria germs were found were removed to the Council's
hospitals for treatment.
Reference is made later in this report to the measures adopted for active
immunisation against diphtheria in these residential schools and homes. The
protection so far afforded by this means constitutes a barrier against the spread of
diphtheria, and it has been possible in the case of some of the schools to effect some
reduction in the routine swabbing of contacts.
Scarlet Fever.—Outbreaks of scarlet fever occurred during the year at Ashford,
Hanwell, Lamorbey, Leytonstone and Shirley, and several cases were reported over
periods of some months from Banstead. Cases also occurred amongst the children
at three of the receiving homes. The cases were of the mild type that has been
prevalent in London in recent years, and the spread of infection in the schools was
no doubt due to the difficulty experienced in diagnosing cases sufficiently early.
In some of the schools the fact that outbreaks of tonsillitis appeared to be due to
the same primary infection militated against an effective control, and it was decided
to remove to one of the Council's hospitals all children found to be suffering from
tonsillar infection. Some of these were subsequently diagnosed as cases of scarlet
fever, thus demonstrating the difficulty in detecting all cases when the disease is
prevalent. These and other precautionary measures were effective in arresting the
spread of infection in all the schools by the end of the year.
Mumps.—A number of cases of mumps occurred at Norwood in January, at
Ashford in March, and at Lamorbey in the early spring. At Leytonstone there
were two minor outbreaks. At Shirley a number of cases occurred during the latter
part of the year, the youngest children being particularly affected. In each of the
affected schools suitable measures were taken to prevent the spread of infection.
Chickenpox.—In the first three months of the year a number of cases occurred
at Hanwell, where it was alleged that spread was induced through the overcrowding
of one of the blocks of the school buildings. The necessary steps were taken to secure
a re-arrangement of the accommodation. Some cases occurred at Banstead in the
spring and at Hutton during July. Cases were also reported from the Henniker
House receiving home.
Whooping-cough.—A number of children were involved in an outbreak of
whooping-cough at Shirley during the latter part of the year, and minor outbreaks
were also reported from Anerley, Cumberlow Lodge, and Leytonstone.
Measles.—Several of the residential schools and children's homes were
affected by the measles epidemic which occurred during the period November,
1931, to August, 1932, and groups of cases were reported from Andover (January),
Ashford (May to July), Banstead (May to July), Hanwell (April), Hornchurch
(March to May), Hutton (June to July and September to October), Lamorbey (May
to August), Leytonstone (March to June), Norwood (January and August to December),
Peckham (March to May), Shirley (March to June).
Adult serum was supplied for use in several instances, and a reference to the
results obtained will be made in the special report on the measles epidemic which
is being prepared for publication.
Ringworm.—Several cases of ringworm occurred at Andover, Hornsey Rise and
Shirley during the year. A few cases were also reported from Cumberlow Lodge