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2. PROVISION OF MILK AND MEALS

Epidemiological Survey at Wimbledon Secondary Boys' School
In Janaury, 1963, a pupil attending the above school was referred
to the Chest Clinic because of a strong positive reaction to the Mantoux
skin test, prior to B.C.G. vaccination. At the time, clinical
examination and chest X-ray showed nothing abnormal.
The boy was admitted to hospital in February, 1965, for investigation
of a small haemoptysis, and in March, 1965, he was notified as
a case of pulmonary tuberculosis.
The Chest Physician recommended an epidemiological survey as
follows:—
1. All pupils who had not been B.C.G. vaccinated, or who were
not know to be tuberculin positive should be Mantoux tested,
and,
2. All previous and present positive reactors, as well as those
who had received B.C.G. vaccination should be chest X-rayed.
Notification of the proposal to conduct the survey was given to
the Chief Education Officer in May, 1965, and with the fullest possible
co-operation of the Head Teacher and his staff, consent forms
were distributed to parents of boys attending school to be included
in the survey.
Of the 875 boys in attendance (excluding the notified case of
tuberculosis) consent was not forthcoming, or was refused, in 30
cases only. On 10th June, 1965, 280 boys were given tuberculin skin
tests and seven proved positive (two of whom had already been tested
previously with positive results). Arrangements were made for the
Mass Radiography Unit to visit the school on 2nd July, 1965, when
413 pupils were examined, including the five unexplained positive
reactors. Fourteen were already under the supervision of the Chest
Clinic and 143 were absent for the X-ray as examinations were in
progress at the school when the Unit visited.
Sixty members of the teaching and ancillary staff were X-rayed at
the same time. A further five who did not avail themselves of the
opportunity had undergone recent X-rays. Twelve were absent, one
had left, and one refused to have an X-ray.
A note was sent to the parents of the boys who had missed the
chest X-ray examination, similarly for those boys who had left school
at the end of the Spring term 1963, when the possibility of infection
first existed, advising a chest X-ray as a precautionary measure.
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