View report page

167
PLANTAR WARTS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Report by the Medical Officer of Health and Senior
Chiropodist.
An Investigation of Incidence and Etiology.
During recent years observers in different parts of the country
have reported outbreaks of plantar warts ; but, so far as I am
aware, no investigation has been undertaken to show their prevalence
or mode of spread.
In April, 1938, I submitted to the Health Authority a report
drawing attention to the sudden increase in the number of school
children found to be suffering from painful warts on the soles of
the feet, and the Authority sanctioned the engagement of additional
part-time temporary assistance at the Municipal Foot Clinic
in order to allow the Senior Chiropodist (Mr. F. J. O'Brien) to
conduct an inspection of the feet of children attending public
elementary schools in the Borough and arrange for the necessary
treatment of those found to be affected.
Before dealing with the findings of inspection it is considered
advisable to submit a brief review of current medical opinion
regarding the nature and causation of the plantar wart (verruca
plantaris).
Pathology.
Roxburgh considers that the plantar wart is a variety of the
common wart or verruca vulgaris. After showing the mechanical
effect of pressure in their formation, he states :—
"It is generally accepted that warts are contagious and
inoculable. The various types are all due to the same filter
passing virus."
Lake, on the other hand, is of opinion that the verruca or wart is a
benign neoplasm or new growth.
"Verruca are true neoplasms and are called papillomata
or papillary neoplasms. If, owing to extraordinary overgrowth,
the basement membrane is destroyed, then the hypertrophy
of epidermal cells extends downwards and inwards
and we have a malignant neoplasm, an epithelial " cancer,"