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134
being ill. On visiting the home she was found to be suffering
from Diphtheria. In another classroom another chiid was
found to be suffering from a sore throat. She also shewed the
presence of diphtheria organism. In the Infants' Department
1 case was notified on October 22nd and 1 on October
26th. On enquiry it was discovered that another child was
away with a sore throat. She was also found to be a carrier,
and a second child was found to be harbouring diphtheria
bacilli in tho nose, but had no other symptoms of diphtheria.
All the relevant facts having been ascertained and full enquiries
made, the affected classes were closed from November
2 to November 20, and it was advised that no child
who had suffered from a sore throat during the period
of closure should be re-admitted till he had been examined.
This was found to be fully justified by the fact that S children
who presented themselves for re-admission were found to have
suffered from sore throats during the period of exclusion, all
of whom on bacteriological examination were found to be
harbouring the diphtheria bacillus.
In all some 14 cases of diphtheria were notified from this
school between October 26th and November 20th, 6 in the
Junior School and 8 in the Infants' Department. In addition
to these, some 17 were excluded as carriers, none of whom
were re-admitted till found to be bacteriologically free. Some
of the latter had I believe actually suffered from an attack of
diphtheria, but of so mild a type as to rouse no suspicions of
the true nature of the disease, and if this assumption be
correct, there would appear to be little doubt that mild diphtheria
had been somewhat prevalent in the school, till a
typical case arose which at once enabled the disease to bo
diagnosed.