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All precautions were taken to prevent spread of infection. Although many
children were absent from school because of diarrhoea only 9 were positive
dysentery.
The routine food hygiene work of the department continued during the year. Of
the 50 school kitchens in the borough 11 have food hygiene certificates av.ardeG
under the Clean Food Scheme. 288 kitchen and serving staff attended courses of 3
lectures given by public health inspectors.
(2) Winter Vomiting
This is a disease characterized by a sudden onset of nausea, vomiting ana
giddiness. It is thought to be a virus condition and probably spread by
droplet infection. An outbreak occurred at two schools during the year,
approximately 56 children and 1 teacher were involved.
(3) Infectious Hepatitis
The London Borough of Paling is one of the few areas in the country where
this disease is notifiable. 7 cases occurred in 6 schools during the year
and 70 children who were contacts were given gamma globulin which is a
serum extract that gives some measure of protection against the disease.
(4) Tuberculosis
The School Health Service is actively concerned in preventing tuberculosis.
On the child's entry to school, subject to the parents' consent, a
tuberculosis skin test is carried out and children with a positive reaction
are referred to the chest clinic for X-ray to exclude active disease. At the
age of 13, parents are again invited to allow the child to have a tuberculosis
skin test and if the reaction is negative, showing that the child has
not yet acquired a natural immunity, a protective vaccination called B.C.G.
is given. The figures for B.C.G. vaccination in 1967 were:-
Number tested 2,831
Number vaccinated 2,418
Number positive 392
On notification of a case of active pulmonary tuberculosis in a schoolchild
an investigation is carried out on all school contacts, if considered
necessary by the Chest Physician. In the case of young children it takes
the form of giving the skin test and a subsequent X-ray at the chest clinic,
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