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114
Diphtheria in Schools.
It has long been known that when diphtheria is prevalent,
what used to be considered ordinary sore throat is
likely to be really a diphtheritic sore throat, and such throats
when examined bacteriologically are found to contain the
particular parasitic organism generally held to be the cause
of diphtheria.
More than this, it has also been found on the apparently
healthy throats of children who have been associated with
children suffering from diphtheria. Such children, although
not affected themselves, may act as carriers of the malady
to other children. There is no more valuable method of
arresting the spread in epidemic times of diphtheria in a
school than to have a bacteriological examination made of the
throat of every child attending the school, healthy or otherwise,
and segregating the "infectious carriers." A recent
regulation of the Education Department of the London
County Council is based upon the above facts.
When Diphtheria is present the following letter will
in future be sent by the Education Department to the
parents or other persons responsible for the child.
London County Council.
Education Offices,
Victoria Embankment, W.C.
190
School.
Dear Sir (or Madam),
While diphtheria is present in the district I shall be
glad if you will exclude any child suffering from sore throat,
and forward the name and address to the Medical Officer
(Education), the Medical Officer of Health for the District,
and the Divisional Superintendent.
The child should not be allowed to resume attendance
until a certificate (bused upon bacteriological examination)
has been furnished stating that it is free from infection.