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49
Absence of Epidemics. A noteworthy point is that there has
been no epidemic of disease during the year, such as has occurred
in previous years when it has spread from School to School throughout
the Borough. It is early yet to attribute this to the exclusion
of scholars below 5 years of age ; but, nevertheless, it is the first
year that we have been free since I was appointed Medical Officer
of Health for the Borough six years ago, and it is the first year that
children below 5 years of age have been excluded from the Schools.
The usual premonitory symptoms of any prevalent infectious
disease have been explained to the Teachers of the Schools in the
neighbourhood of such infectious disease.
County School. The County School has been visited at
different periods, and on one occasion, at the request of the Head
Teacher, I called and examined a recent case of ringworm which
necessitated exclusion of the scholar from School. A few days afterwards
I inspected 30 scholars in the Class to which the excluded
scholar belonged, and discovered an unsuspected case of chronic
ringworm. This scholar was also excluded. Both cases underwent
medical treatment and one being eventually cured the boy resumed
school duties. No other cases arose amongst the scholars attending
this School.
High School for Girls. On different occasions throughout
the year visits were made to this School, or at the homes of 13
scholars who were attending the School preparatory to undertaking
the duties of pupil teachers. These were thoroughly examined as
to the condition of the lungs, heart, eyes, hearing, and teeth, as
well as their general physique. In certain instances, owing to
slight eye defects and bad teeth, they were advised to consult
specialists, which they promised to do. Certificates of the result
of the medical examinations were forwarded to your Clerk.
School Attendance Sub-Committee. In three instances, at
the request of the School Attendance Sub-Committee, I visited,
examined, and reported as to the condition of the children referred