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72
throat is obtained, the child is further excluded from school and
kept under observation.
Thirdly, in spite of every care and attention, mild cases sometimes
escape detection and attend school in an infectious state.
In some outbreaks these "missed" cases are the chief means by
which the disease is spread. When inquiries are made into the
history of a case of Scarlet Fever, the school and class to which
the child belongs are noted, and if multiple cases occur within a
short period in a class, all the children are examined.
Measles.
In last year's report there was an account of a Measles
outbreak, which commenced in September, 1912. That outbreak
continued into the first quarter of 1913. The first case was
reported from Rothschild School in September, 1912, and about
the same time other cases occurred in Beaumont Park School.
Before the end of November the Central Schools had been invaded,
and in 1912 these were the schools which suffered most.
In December, 1912, the disease had made its appearance in
the South Acton Infants' Department, and the school was closed
for the Christmas holidays on December 13th, a week earlier than
the other schools in the district.
The Infants' Departments at Acton Wells and Southfield
Road Schools were affected in the early part of January, 1913, and
were not re-opened after the Christmas holidays until February 3rd.
The Priory School was invaded in February and March.
During the latter part of the year the district was entirely
free of the disease.