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35
The number of exclusions during 1905 on account of infectious illness shows an increase
of over a thousand as compared with that for 1904. The increase is manifest in
connection with all the diseases except mumps. The chief cause, however, of the increase
of the number of exclusions was the prevalence of scarlet fever.
During the year attention was specially required in connection with the following
schools:—
Catherine Street School.—This school, which was under our notice during October
and November, 1904, on account of the unusual number of scarlet fever cases amongst
the scholars, again came under observation during February, March, and April of
the year under consideration for the same reason. The cases were chiefly amongst
the children in the infants' department, the heaviest incidence appearing to be
amongst those in class rooms D and E of that department. The cases occurred as
follows:—Four in February, one being on the 5th, 9th. 14th, and 19th respectively;
11 fin March, one being certified on March 2nd, three on March 6th,
and single cases on the 8th, 10th, 17th, 19th, and 20th respectively; after an interval
of ten days, another case was certified on March 30th, and that was followed after
twelve days by a case on April 12th. The school holidays then intervened, and
after the re-opening of the school on May 1st the incidence of scarlet fever amongst
the scholars ceased to attract attention. There is not the least doubt that there
was a source of infection in the infants' department, and some suspicion was attached
to a little boy who returned to school on February 13 after having been away in
hospital with scarlet fever. He was the subject of a discharge from his nose, which
he had had since his return from hospital. He came under notice on
March 21st, and under the circumstances it was thought advisable to exclude
him. Another child was found to be peeling whilst attending the department. He
was a little boy about 5 years old, who was taken ill on March 6th. He returned
to school on March 12th for a few days and was then absent agalin unitil March
20th, when he finally returned to school as being well. It was thought by his
mother that he had had a "cold." He was found to be peeling freely on March 30th,
when he was removed to hospital. As to whether this child was the source of
infection in any of the cases during the latter half of March it is impossible to say with
certainty, but it is not improbable.
Trinity Place School.—Class room E in the infants' department was closed on
account of measles by the Medical Officer (Education) of the London County Council.
The necessary steps as to disinfection were taken by the Sanitary Authority.
Napier Street School. —This school came under observation in June on acoount
of an unusual number of scarlet fever cases which suddenly made their appearance
amongst the scholars. The cases were more especially amongst the girls. The
Medical Officer, Dr. Kerr, was communicated with, and class room G in the girls
department, from which most of the cases appeared to be coming, was closed for a
fortnight, during which appropriate measures as to disinfection were carried out.