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63
point of view alone. For about every six children attending
school, one has been excluded for a shorter or longer time
for infectious disease. Last year the proportion was about
the same, without including contacts, a record of whom has
been kept this year for the first time, so that the record for
this year is better than last, but only proves the necessity for
still further effort. I also think it would be a good plan if
teachers on admitting new children would find out from the
parent if the child has had Measles, Whooping Cough, or
Chicken Pox. It could easily be done and would involve
little extra trouble on the part of teachers, as all they would
have to do would be to add another column to the admission
register. This information would be specially valuable in
the case of Measles, as after a short time it would be an
extremely valuable guide as to the closure, or not, of a school,
as then the proportion of susceptible children would be
known.
MEASLES.
Measles has been markedly absent this year, probably
due to its great prevalence during the former two or three
years, thus rendering a great proportion of the children
immune to a renewed attack during the year 1905.
The following regulation has worked well and with ut
trouble:—
"In certain cases where there are children in the
same house who have previously suffered from Measles
and are over eight years of age, certificates will be
granted by the Medical Officer of Health for these
children to attend school. The granting of these
certificates will depend on whether the arrangements for
the isolation and nursing of the patient are satisfactory
or not."