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241
There was no closure of schools or school departments in
1931 on account of epidemic infectious disease, and no certificates
were issued under Article 23 of the Code of Regulations for
Public Elementary Schools, 1926.
It is a mistake to think that school closure is a means of controlling
epidemic disease. The effect in towns, where there are
so many other opportunities of children meeting, is negligible.
By closing a school, on the other hand, valuable aids are lost.
For example, systematic watch can be kept on class contacts; the
School Nurse is made aware immediately of the absence of any
child from school, and can consequently call without delay at the
home.
Parents, however, on hearing of cases of infectious illness in
a school, not infrequently keep their children away. Their
absence from school is, however, noted, the parents are visited,
and the children kept under supervision at home. The family
doctor could help the school authorities very considerably in this
matter of infectious disease, both in advising the parents as to
isolation and quarantine of contacts, and in pointing out the
serious effects to other children that any laxity in control might
cause.