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The actual figures for the Ward and Parochial Schools were : protected 1,507,
unprotected 302, present at the time of inspection. Owing to the vigorous
action of the Authorities, 354 vaccinations were performed, so that practically
the whole of the scholars may now be considered as immune to Small-pox.
The large Public Schools took the matter up, and parents were called upon
to have their children protected forthwith.
The Board Schools, unhappily, are in a totally different position.
Application was made to the London School Board to allow the scholars to
be inspected by your Medical Officer, but, unfortunately, this was only allowed
in the case of those whose parents did not object, after notice had been sent
to them, a course which practically amounted to a suggestion to refuse.
The result, as might have been expected, was unsatisfactory. Many of
the parents signed without realizing the meaning of the document, this being
obviously the case with foreigners, a large proportion of whom were unable
to read a circular letter drawn up in English.
The results of inspection were as follows :—
Present. Inspected. Objected. Unprotected.
Gravel Lane Board School 1,135 771 364 46
Swan Street „ - 606 430 176 28
Greystoke Place ,, - 200 140 60 20
Total - - 1,941 1,341 600 94
That is, more than one-third of the parents are represented as objecting even
to inspection, while only 7 per cent, of those inspected were found to be
unprotected.
Obviously the same evil influence extended to the vaccination of those who
were found to require, and only 55 of the 94, or 58 per cent., agreed to the
operation.
The London School Board further declined to allow the Public Vaccinators
to make use of the Schools for the purpose of vaccination.
It is scarcely possible to conceive any system better calculated to hinder
the adoption of the only known preventive of Small-pox than that carried
out by the Education Authority of London.
In the Artizans' Dwellings there are at present 916 persons living, of whom
388 are under the age of 16; and 19 only unprotected by vaccination.