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8
Epidemic Diarrhœa was very prevalent in August
and September, and caused 4 deaths of infants. Whooping
Cough was prevalent in the latter part of the year,
causing 4 deaths.
Influenza became common in October, and very
prevalent during November and December.
The Local Government Board has arranged for cooperation
between the Civil and Military Sanitary Services
in those districts where troops are encamped or
billetted, but so far this district has not been utilised for
either of these purposes. It is very creditable to the district
that so many Wealdstone men are now serving their
King and country in the ranks of our brave Army—
highly creditable to the district, and most honourable to
themselves individually. Already many of them have
given the supreme sacrifice of patriotism and duty to
country by laying down their lives in its service. I
am sure that their memory will ever be held in reverence
and esteem by their fellow townsmen and women.
THE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF
THE DISTRICT.
Many notifications of ordinary infectious complaints
and of children who had been in contact with infection
were received from the Head Teachers, and enquiries
made by Nurse Morley at the homes of the children, and
suitable action taken when necessary in isolating the
patients and keeping suspicious cases from attending
school. About 200 visits were paid in connection with
these cases.
A rule exists at the present time that children from
a house in which a case of Scarlet Fever has been recently
treated under the Milne System shall not only
remain away from school during the period of treatment,
which I think is reasonable and wise, but also for a
further period of 14 days after the patient has been discharged
and the premises disinfected.
My own observation leads me to believe that this
further period of exclusion is quite unnecessary if the
children are at that time in good health, and that the
rule might very well be applied only to the child who
has been affected with Scarlet Fever.