View report page

42
The Corporation have no power to enforce disinfection except in cases
where infectious disease has occurred, and the Education Authorities should
be therefore invited to give careful consideration to the suggestions of the
Scotch Education Department, with a view to their adoption in all schools
under their charge.
CLEANSING VERMINOUS CHILDREN ATTENDING PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
At the latter end of 1906, your Medical Officer reported that some
suggestion had been received from the Education Department of the London
County Council, with a view of checking the number of children attending the
schools in a verminous condition.
Two alternative schemes were proposed, one where the name and address of
any child in a verminous condition is forwarded to the Medical Officer of
Health, whose Inspector calls at the House and leaves an order entitling the
child to a bath and disinfection at the public expense, the other was for the
Medical Officer of Health to furnish the Medical Officer of the Education
Department of the London County Council with a supply of cards, also
entitling the child to a free bath and disinfection.
At your Medical Officer's recommendation, the Committee decided to adopt
the first suggestion, because it would involve the inspection of the child's home
when he made his call, whereas in the second, he might remain ignorant of the
number of infected children or the places where they resided, and it is most
essential that houses of verminous children should be strictly looked after.
Arrangements were therefore made in February, 1907, that the names and
addresses of verminous children should be sent to your Medical Officer, and
if after the inspection it was necessary, an order on the Guardians for cleansing
and disinfecting the child would be granted. Such orders will only be issued
with respect to children residing within the City.