London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Acton 1909
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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101
It is admitted that, under present condition the school is a
potent factor in the spread of infectious disease. This
admission has been seized by the manfacturers of disinfectants
for their own purposes, and the claim is made that school
infection can be largely controlled by the routine disinfection
of class rooms.
The experiment was tried from February, 1909, to February, 1910, and the following table illustrates the results for the five months February—July, 1909.
| From 8/2/08—24/7/08. | From 8/2/09—24/7/09. | |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Fever | 57 | 82 |
| Diphtheria | 13 | 12 |
| Membranous Croup | — | 1 |
| Measles | 616 | 463 |
| Chicken Pox | 69 | 134 |
| Whooping Cough | 142 | 84 |
| Mumps | 20 | 163 |
Of course, disinfection is of value when it is really needed
and properly applied. It is probable that Scarlet Fever and
Diphtheria are spread in some indirect manner, but it is