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11
The number of deaths occurring in the District for 1897
was nine, exactly the same as for the previous year.
The character of the disease has been of a very mild form
as will be seen by the small percentage of deaths.
The number of cases occurring in the Manor Park Ward
from January to September was 25, the highest in any of those
months being six, in June. In September the number of cases
was five, but in October it rose to 50. On the 22nd October I
wrote to the Clerk to the East St Ham School Board informing
him that since the 1st October 23 cases had occurred at houses
from which children had been attending Manor Park Board
School, and informing him that it was my intention to visit
the school and invited him to be present. I visited the school
on the 25th, and examined all the children in attendance, and
found 14 who, in my opinion, were suffering from Scarlet
Fever desquamation.
I subsequently informed the Clerk to the Board of the result
of my investigation, advising the immediate closing of the
school for a period of 14 days, during which time the school
could be disinfected. My advice was acted upon by the Board,
and the school closed. I personally supervised the disinfecting
of the school, which was first fumigated with Sulphur
di-Oxide, followed by all the woodwork, &c., being washed
with Perchloride of Mercury, and finally scrubbed with
Creosote.
The school was re-opened on the 10th November. From
the 1st October till the closing of the school on the 27th, 40
cases occurred at houses from which children had been attending
this school. I find that since the re-opening on 10th
November till 31st December only 12 cases were reported. I
am more than convinced that the closing and disinfecting of
the school was the best method of arresting the epidemic.