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13
CAUSES OF EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL
During 1960, Mumps was the specific infection causing the
most absences from school, followed by chicken Pox, Scarlet
Fever, whooping Cough and Sonne Dysentery in that order. The
last named was present in small numbers throughout the year and
a policy of early exclusion and strict attention to school hygiene
was successful in preventing explosive outbreaks.
In one school, there were several cases at the end of a
school term and enquiries showed the usual history of at least
two children who attended school while suffering from severe
diarrhoea.
The onset of the long summer holiday in this particular instance
made control a very simple matter.
The detailed figures given in Appendix D , Page 57 ,
refer only to named infectious diseases. There was the usual
amount of absence through ill defined upper respiratory infections,
feverish colds, etc., which are not recorded in these
returns.
WORK OF SCHOOL NURSES
Every effort is made to build up close co-operation by the
health visitor/school nurse and the teaching staffs of the
schools in her district. V.hen there are particular difficulties,
for example, undue prevalence of infectious illness, the school
nurse would be expected to call every day at the school to deal
with queries which may arise in regard to individual children.
During the year, the experiment of appointing a State Enrolled
Assistant Nurse to deal with clinic duties commenced. The
results of the first few months working were quite satisfactory.
It does seem a proper method to relieve health visitor/school
nurses of certain routine tasks, so that they may be available
for duties more appropriate to their training and ability.
For details of visits, see Appendix F, Page 59.