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"If we could be sure that children with verrucas on the
sole of the foot were excluded from swimming baths, I am perfectly
certain that the incidence of verrucas would very considerably
diminish. As you may be aware, I have tried, by
articles in the press, by letters to head teachers, by talks
to parents, etc., to instil into everyone concerned the vital
importance of ensuring that children do not visit swimming
baths when they are suffering from a verruca. Unfortunately,
in spite of all we have done, some parent s are still sufficiently
careless as to allow their children to visit our swimming baths,
knowing perfectly well that they have a verruca. And it is
here that we would very much like your continued help.
"I know how very helpful you have been in the past.
Indeed, I am more than delighted at the number of times the
Public Health Department has been telephoned, enquiring as to
whether or not a particular child should be excluded, either
because of a verruca or 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 ray 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 a 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
infections 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 an 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
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