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for any other reason. This always gives us very great pleasure as
it is a clear sign of the co-operation which is so essential and which
we all desire so much. Please do not hesitate to exclude any child
from the swimming bath when, in your opinion, this could be
justified on health grounds. A telephone message to the Public
Health Department will then clear the matter up, if any difficulty
still remains.
"I would assure you that I am always prepared to take responsibility
for advising you on exclusions, and that you may ask for my
advice or the advice of my Department at any time whatsoever.
"It is not, of course, verrucas only which may cause the
exclusion of a child from the swimming bath. Children with sores
on the feet and body—impetigo or any other skin infection which is
contagious—heavy infestation which can actually be seen (fortunately
this is extremely rare indeed) or any other condition which
is apparent or which is admitted and which might be liable to
spread infection in the swimming bath, should be excluded. And
here again I am not thinking so much of people swimming in the
water as to their mixing together on the surrounds or while sun
bathing.
"It is not really possible to detail all the types of infectious or
even non infectious illnesses which may necessitate exclusion. But
once again, the Public Health Department will give you advice at
any time. In this connection, I was particularly glad to receive an
enquiry from a attendant at one of our swimming baths. The
attendant had noted that a child had arrived for swimming at a
time when the schools were in session. She asked the child why
he was not at school, and was informed that his sister was suffering
from Sonne dysentery. Very properly the attendant telephoned
the Public Health Department, when we verified that she was
perfectly correct in not allowing this child to enter the swimming
bath, I merely give this as an example of the excellent co-operation
which has been in existence for so very long and which we feel
quite sure will continue.
"While writing, might I mention the annual subject of making
quite sure that children do not remain too long in the swimming
bath, even when no cases of polio have been reported in the
neighbourhood. As you well know, exhaustion is one of the most
potent factors in turning what might very well be a mild case of
polio into a serious illness, even a great disaster. I would therefore
be very glad if, as always, you will have no hesitation in restricting
the time during which children remain in the bath. If you have
any difficulty in enforcing this order—or, indeed, any order at all—
I would once again state that we will give you all the help within
our power.
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