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45
The following table shows the number of cases of ringworm of the scalp among Ringworm,
the children in the Council's schools dealt with during 1934 compared with the
figures for preceding years:—

During the year, 603 specimens of hair from school children, were examined
for ringworm at the laboratory at the County Hall. Ringworm fungus was
found in 195 of these (132 small spore and 63 large spore).
Two cases of favus were discovered after microscopical examination.
Close co-operation has been maintained with the Play Centres Committee,
who were notified with regard to all schools where infectious illness was prevalent.
The Committee have continued the scheme for the distribution of notices warning
parents against sending children to the centres if they are unwell or are home contacts
of infectious illness.
Favus.
Play centres.
The special arrangements were continued for the medical examination of
children before departure for school journeys. Particulars of the general arrangements
made for school journeys during 1934 are set out on Page 53.
School
journeys.
There was a minor outbreak of chickenpox at Mile Oak school in the spring.
No other cases of infectious illness occurred in the approved schools.
Nine cases of diphtheria occurred during the year at the Ponton-road remand
home. As a result of swabbing, 2 virulent carriers were found. References to the
progress of active immunisation against scarlet fever at the Mayford school and
of active immunisation against diphtheria at Mile Oak school appear later in this
section of the report.
Approved
schools and
remand
home.
A few sporadic cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever and chickenpox occurred
in the three residential open-air schools.
The few cases of infectious diseases that occurred amongst the children in the
residential special schools do not call for special comment. Reference to the
scheme of active immunisation against diphtheria in these schools appears later
in this section of the report.
Residential
open-air
schools.
Residential
special
schools.
As stated in the last annual report, children to be admitted to a receiving home
who are known to have been in contact with infectious disease are sent in the first
instance to a "contact" block at Earlsfield House receiving home. Contacts
of infectious diseases at the three receiving homes have also been admitted to this
block. With regard to the latter group, the restricted accommodation of the
contact block necessitated a careful selection of contacts being made. These
arrangements have worked satisfactorily and will be continued.
Residential
schools,
children's
homes and
children's
receiving
homes.
During the year, loo children were admitted to the contact block at
Earlsfield House under these arrangements ; of these 30 developed the disease to
which they had been stated to have been exposed and 8 developed other diseases.
A brief review of the incidence of infectious illnesses in the residential schools,
children's homes and children's receiving homes during 1934 is set out below.
The cases of infectious illness (except scabies and impetigo) were removed to one
or other of the Council's hospitals. All practicable steps were taken in close cooperation
with the officers of the schools and homes with a view to preventing the
spread of infection.
D