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34
In 1952 there were 34 cases at schools, but multiple cases only
occurred at eight departments, the highest being five in one department.
In the other twelve departments there was only one case in
each.
An article in the medical press states: "and the (condition)
abates only when it has run its natural course." The only known
method of control is by proper personal and environmental hygiene
which unfortunately is still so conspicuously absent in the community
at large.
By 9th March the total of cases was 62 at ten school departments
with 39 cases out of 530 children on the roll of the worst
affected school.
The general criterion of re-admission to school in proven cases
was a negative rectal swab and/or fully formed stools for at least
seven days.
I would like to acknowledge the help of the Borough Education
Officer and his staff and the teaching staff in the very considerable
work which has been involved in dealing with these cases.
Gastric Influenza and Epidemic Nausea and Vomiting.
During 1954 there were four schools involved in outbreaks of
epidemic nausea and vomiting. The first was at Forest School in
June when five boys and three staff were affected. Rectal swabs
were taken from three of the boys but all proved negative. The
outbreak was mild.
Early in November a message was received from Thorpe Hall
School stating that three children had complained of abdominal
pain and nausea with no diarrhoea. The school was visited by the
medical and sanitary staff who examined all children and inspected
the kitchens respectively.
A day or two later a message was received from Winns Avenue
Infant School stating that ten children were absent with diarrhoea
and vomiting, and eight others for unknown reasons. The school
was visited by the medical and sanitary staff. Swabs were taken but
were proved negative. The outbreak lasted three or four days. About
five days later a similar message was received from Blackhorse
Road Secondary Girls School where six girls were affected, but with
one exception, all remained at school.
All pathological specimens taken were negative and the "outbreaks"
were considered to be in the nature of epidemic vomiting
rather than of food infection.
Scarlet Fever and Streptococcal Tonsillitis at an Infants' School.
Although the scarlet fever incidence in the Borough was considerably
less in 1954 than in 1953, i.e., 187 cases against 289, a