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Authorities who desire to take prompt action to prevent or
check the spread of infection.
Subsequently I discovered that the order of .July 8th
had been varied by the publication of the following notice in
the London County Council Gazette on September 2nd:—
"Disinfection of School Premises.—Schoolkeepers are
hereby instructed that they must not allow any disinfection
of the school premises during school hours without sanction
from the Education Offices; but those medical officers who
use formalin spray may be allowed to disinfect before or
after school hours without sanction from the office."
The Lewisham Borough Council and the Public Health
Committee are the custodians of the public health of the
Borough. It is their duty to investigate and deal with all
conditions which may endanger the health of the inhabitants.
1 think they may also be allowed to judge which is the best
method of disinfection. It is therefore unfortunate that such
extraordinary orders should be issued by the Education
Authority, practically to exclude the Sanitary Authority. Moreover,
we are left to learn the existence of such orders through
the medium of the School caretakers.
OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA AT THE HOME FOR SICK
CHILDREN, LOWER SYDENHAM.
In November an outbreak of Diphtheria occurred among
the children in the Home for Sick Children.
On investigation it was difficult to locate the exact
cause but there is reason to believe that the infection arose
from an unrecognised case. Swabs were taken for bacteriological
examination from all the children and the staff, and as a result
13 cases of Pseudo-diphtheria were isolated in a special ward.