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114
I feel that we can conclude from the above, in spite of the
comparatively small number investigated, that the post-war
nutritional standard of the school child is slightly higher than
in 1939.
This is, in my opinion, due, primarily, to the increase of the
provision of meals and free milk in schools, and also to a greater
awareness of food values on the part of parents, and their determination
to obtain the full quantity of rationed commodities to
which their family is entitled.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN SCHOOL.
The usual infectious diseases occurred at the schools, Measles,
Whooping Cough, Mumps, Chicken Pox—and caused the usual
loss of school attendance. The absence of Diphtheria was again
noted and must be placed to the credit of the intensive immunisation
that has been proceeding over the past years. A Gallup
poll taken at fifteen schools showed that 77 per cent. of the
children had been immunised.
An epidemic of Scarlet Fever in the Church of England
School, College Road, caused some anxiety and is only now
abating. It was mild in type and many missed cases were discovered
in attendance.
The most interesting infectious disease was the epidemic of
Infantile Paralysis, calling for intensive investigations and
controlling action. In no case was the infection traced to school
contact. No child was permitted to attend school after absence
for any undiagnosed illness or temperature, without a clearance
certificate at the end of three weeks from a doctor, indicating
that the case was not one of abortive infantile paralysis. I
believe this was an important factor in the control of this
infection through Bromley schools.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
I should like to place on record my appreciation of the cooperation
which has been afforded by the Borough Education
Officer, Mr. H. W. C. Eisel, and members of his staff, and also by
Miss M. A. Isard, the Honorary Secretary of the Bromley
Children's Care Committee.