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bacteriological examination advised the mother to isolate the
child and treat him as a case of infectious disease.
The third case was also a scholar in Southfield Road
Infants Department. The child refused to allow an examination
to be made, and it was understood that she had been seen by a
doctor. She was excluded and inquiries made on the same day.
It was understood that there was an infant in the house suffering
from Whooping Cough and being attended by a doctor.
The child also had a persistent cough which probably was the
commencement of Whooping Cough. Instructions were left as
to the manner in which the case should be dealt with pending a
definite result. Meanwhile, the child was excluded from school
as a Whooping Cough contact. Not hearing anything from the
doctor, I called on the third day and found that no doctor was
in attendance on the school-girl. Permission being given, a
swab was taken and the Diphtheria germs were found. The
child could be isolated in the home, but the daughters reported
the case to their employers and the former were asked to cease work,
unless a certificate could be produced that there was no
infection. Such a certificate, of course, could not be given,
and the mother requested that the child be removed to Hospital.
When it was explained that the employers could be assured that
there would practically be no risk of the infection being spread
by the daughters following their usual employment, the mother
requested the discharge of the child from the Hospital, and the
child was isolated at home.
During the year the arrangements for the distributions of
Diphtheria Antitoxin have been extended. At the October
meeting of the Health Committee the Order and Circular of the
Local Government Board was considered. Under Section 133 of
the Public Health Act, 1875, any local Authority may, with the
sanction of the Local Government Board, themselves provide or
contract with any person to provide a temporary supply of
medicine and medical assistance for the poorer inhabitants of
their district. In the Order the Local Government Board
sanctioned, in pursuance of Section 133, of a temporary supply
of Diphtheria Antitoxin, and of Medical assistance in connection
with the temporary supply of antitixin subject to the following
conditions, that is to say,—