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61
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
During the past year there has been a slight modification
in the method of receiving information of infectious disease
from the various schools. Formerly the Head Teachers used
to inform me, on a special form, of any case of infectious
disease coming under their notice. Also, all the attendance
officers used to report to me personally every morning of
all cases observed by them. At present, however, only the
Chief Attendance Officer reports to me personally, thus
allowing the other officers to push on with their morning
work. The notification by the teachers has been to a great
extent discontinued, as it was thought there was some
tendency to duplication when both the attendance officers
and the teachers reported; also, too, the attendance officer
gets earlier information than the head teachers. To a certain
extent, there is some truth in these contentions, but I am
inclined to think the converse is also true, and the head
teachers often hear before the attendance officers; and, as
early information is the essence of the whole plan, it seems
to me very probable that the original scheme, in so far as
the head teachers are concerned, will have to be reverted to.
On examining the table at the beginning of this section
it will be seen that Scarlet Fever has been unduly prevalent
during the year, and that Diphtheria, on the other hand, has
been slight in its incidence. Mumps have been more in
evidence than for several years, a moderate prevalence
occurring in the Spring, and specially affecting Cleveland
Road and Downshall Schools.