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101
Mile Oak
Approved
School—
scarlet fever
outbreak
When necessary, special visits were made by assistant school medical officers.
An outbreak of scarlet fever took place in the latter half of November, 11
cases being notified. The medical officer of health of the area stated that the disease
had been prevalent in the district before that time, and he had little doubt that the
infection was introduced to the school from this source. After the main outbreak
there was a pause of more than a week, but the occurrence of two more cases raised
the possibility of a continuing source of infection, and it was decided to ask the public
health laboratory at Brighton to investigate. Swabs were taken from the nose and
throat of all children and staff.
By this time the infecting strain of organism in the patients removed to hospital
had been identified as hæmolytic streptococcus, Group "C," a comparatively
uncommon variety. The result of the swabbing was that a fair number were found
to be harbouring hæmolytic streptoccoci, but only 9 were carrying the Group "C"
variety. Further reports from the laboratory indicated that only two of the Group
"C" carriers were likely to be dangerous to others. Both were throat carriers, and
they were isolated and treated with penicillin. The finding of only nine persons
in the school with the epidemic strain seemed to justify the expectation that more
general spread of the disease was unlikely, and this hope was fulfilled.
Medical rooms
Difficulties still continue in many schools in the facilities for medical inspections.
Medical rooms are not available at all schools and consequently the inspections
have to be held sometimes in halls, classrooms or other rooms. With the cooperation
of the teaching staff, every endeavour has been made to overcome the
difficulties. Steps have been taken to improve matters in the worst schools by structural
alterations, improvements of washing facilities, better lighting and heating.
Owing to financial considerations it has been possible, so far, to deal with only a
limited number of schools, but the policy will be continued.
Provision of meals
The following information was supplied by the Chief Officer of the Restaurants
and Catering Department:—

Meals for children in Group (iii) were planned to contain a minimum of 20
grammes of first class protein; a minimum of 25 grammes of fat; and a minimum
of 400 milligrammes of calcium.
The diet of the children taking meals was under the supervision of the Council's
honorary nutritional consultant, Dr. T. F. Macrae, O.B.E., D.Sc.
To provide a close check on the quantities and qualities of served meals, random
samples were analysed by the Council's chemist-in-chief from time to time (see page
38).
Audiometric testing
During the year audiometric testing was extended to cover all the nine health
divisions of the County. Eight sets of apparatus were available, Divisions 2 and 3
sharing.