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125
This is another disease that rarely gives rise to any danger
to the patient, but from a school point of view of attendance,
it is often troublesome, as the incubation period is so
long. Three weeks is usually considered the time of incubation,
but sometimes it appears to be even longer. Thus, if a
case breaks out, the length of time that must elapse before
one is certain there will be no others is a long one. The
Memorandum on Closure and Exclusion from School states,
" In view of this fact (the long incubation period) and of the
absence of danger to life, the exclusion may be confined to
the patient."
RINGWORM.
According to the table, there were only 114 cases of this
disease reported for 1909, whereas 135 were reported in
1908. It must be borne in mind, however, that many
cases are not reported when the patient attends his own
medical man, who gives a certificate for school purposes.
During the year I submitted the following report, which
was adopted, and I hope the suggestion will be in operation
before long :—
The treatment of this affection is exceedingly unsatisfactory
and troublesome; many children being out
of school for weeks or months at a stretch. The most
usual procedure is to go to a chemist, get some ointment,
more or less suitable, and apply it with more or
less regularity. As I have pointed out in my Annual
Report, by far the most satisfactory treatment is that of
X-Rays, for most forms, at any rate. Now, the only
means of getting this form of treatment, without incurring
a considerable outlay, is to go to a hospital, and
that involves time and delay, even if the parent can be
prevailed upon to go. Also it is asking certain parents
to get treatment from the hospital, when it is not desirable
that they should do so.