London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hendon 1896

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hendon]

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23
any children which appear affected and to send in their names.
In every case I have always received the ready help of the School
Authorities.
School Closure.
When epidemics occur the question of closure of schools or
parts of schools immediately becomes an important element in
preventing the further spread of this disease, and I consider that
in this district it has produced beneficial results.
In my report to the Council for the four weeks ending May
19th, 1894, I stated that "During the month 103 cases were
"reported, 49 from New Hendon, 39 from Mill Hill, 12 from
"Central Hendon, and 23 from Child's Hill; sixty-seven different
"families were affected, but a large number of these came from
"the same house, there being two families in each house. I
"seriously considered the advisability of closing St. John's
"Schools, but as they were breaking up for the vacation in a few
"days I did not do so."
In my next report for the month ending June 16th, I stated :
"Measles 28 cases: 12 in Hendon, 7 in Child's Hill, 7 in Mill
"Hill. Now from May 7 to May 21 the schools were closed, and
"I think it is only fair to conclude that this rapid reduction was
"partly due to the schools closing for holidays, and what makes
"it all the more apparent is that directly the schools re-opened
"during the next four weeks 100 fresh cases were reported, 89 of
" which occurred in Child's Hill."
In my report for the four weeks ending August 11th, I stated:
"Child's Hill 29 cases. This disease is rapidly diminishing, in a
''great measure no doubt due to the closure of the schools for
"their vacations."
During the year 1895, very few cases occurred, but in the
present, half-year ending June 30th, 526 cases were reported. First
an outbreak occurred at Burnt Oak Schools during the end of