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vitamin substance, such as cod liver oil and malt, has been ordered
and other approprate treatment advised. In 2 cases where chronic
otorrhoea was cleared up, improvement followed rapidly on the
introduction of cod liver oil drops into the ear itself. In other cases
not much improvement followed the use of cod liver oil drops but
in these 2 cases cessation of the discharge followed after the drops
had been used a short time.
SCABIES.
Scabies or The Itch continued to affect the school population
during 1937. In all, there were 101 cases treated, but many of
these were cases who got themselves re-infected and had to undergo
treatment again and again,—in one family as often as four times
in the year, in February, in April, in July, and in November.
When a child is discovered to be suffering from Scabies, it
is excluded from school, and all its brothers and sisters and parents
too if possible, are examined to see if they also are infected. During
the first part of the year arrangements were made for attendance
at the Kensington Baths for treatment, and where instructions were
carried out good results were obtained. In a fair number of cases
however, it was found that for one excuse or another, appointments
were not being kept, and it was found to be difficult to control the
treatment advised. Towards the latter part of the year therefore
home treatment was advised in the first instance, and only where
the mother had proved herself incapable or unwilling to carry out
the instructions given, was resource had to the public baths. A
printed sheet of instructions and sufficient ointment was given to
the parent, and they were advised to report with the children at
, the end of a few days for inspection. Where the home conditions
were good and the parent careful, good results were obtained and
it was easy to pick out those who really did not try to get clear of
. the infection.
An outbreak of Scabies, such as has affected Acton. is
exceedingly difficult to control. Infection is usually spread during
sleep, as the Acarus Scabei, the cause of Scabies, is a very siow
mover and needs prolonged contact before infection takes piaces
Arrangements were therefore made to have the bedding and bed
clothes of infected persons sterilised, and they were advised to boil
their sheets and pillow cases. Homes were visited and advice given
on innumerable occasions.
All school nurses visited the schools and hand parades were
held, in order to pick out if possible such of the pupils as were
suffering from Scabies and had not reported themselves or been
detected.