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APPENDIX 2
SPECIAL REPORTS TO PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE
(a) Winter Vomiting, Dysentery and Poliomyelitis.
Copy of letter sent to Head Teachers of Southgate Schools on
26th November, 1956:—
"Dear ,
Winter Vomiting, Dysentery and Poliomyelitis
"I would like to bring to your attention a few facts relating to
the present prevalence of Winter Vomiting, with or without
diarrhoea, and the possible association of Winter Vomiting,
dysentery and poliomyelitis. We know that Winter Vomiting is
spread by a virus, just as is poliomyelitis. We also know that
dysentery, although not usually caused by a virus, is spread in
precisely the same way as poliomyelitis, i.e. following visits to the
toilet, especially when the hands are not washed immediately and
thoroughly thereafter. We feel very definitely that schools in
which a number of cases of Winter Vomiting, again with or without
diarrhoea, have occurred, or from which a number of cases of
dysentery have been reported, must be regarded as potential danger
spots so far as poliomyelitis is concerned.
"With these issues in mind, I should like to raise with you the
following points:—
"(1) We should like to know as soon as possible, when more than
a very few cases of Winter Vomiting or dysentery occur
in any school. Such information should be passed to the
Area Health Office, whether or not the two types of exclusion
letters already known to Head Teachers are being
used in the school concerned. I am sure you will appreciate
that, even when these letters are being used, we are not
always aware of this fact. It is for this reason, and
because we want to take the prompt action set out below,
that we would like to be informed whenever Winter Vomiting
or Sonne dysentery is present to any extent in a school,
quite apart from the use of exclusion letters. Needless to
say, of course, we will be only too happy to supply a batch
of either type of exclusion letter, on request.
"(2) Although I know that Head Teachers are already aware of
the value of adequate hygienic measures in their schools at
all times, I am equally sure that you will appreciate the vital
need for ensuring that these precautions are working one
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