Dr. R. Deane Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board on the sanitary circumstances and administration of the Ramsey Urban District, with special reference to the prevalence of scarlatina.

  • Sweeting, R. Deane.
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dr. R. Deane Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board on the sanitary circumstances and administration of the Ramsey Urban District, with special reference to the prevalence of scarlatina. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Of the other schools in the district, the following have been closed for scarlatina, viz. :—In the town, the Council School and the Infants’ Endowed School for a fortnight from July 31st, 1907 ; in the fen, the Fortyfoot School from November 23rd, 1908, to January 4th, 1909 ; and the Pondersbridge Schools in December, 1908, for a fortnight. I visited all these and another school in the district. Though varying greatly in their structural condition and arrangements, I could not say that any of them showed any marked insanitary circum- stances sufficient to promote the spread of scarlatina. If they con- tributed at all to keep up the prevalence of this disease, it was by the mere fact of susceptible children assembling together at them. The most important and largest school is the Council School in Ramsey town, consisting of a mixed and infants’ division. The number on the books in the former division had, in the last three months, diminished from 286 to 264, and the average attendance from 257 to 218 ; the percentage of attendance had, therefore, in this period dwindled from 89 to 82. Further, 10 girls and 4 boys were absentees at my visit, as belonging to infected households. Similarly, in the infants’ division, 3 girls and 5 boys were away. I was satisfied that great care was being taken at this school by the master and his assistants to exclude any suspicious cases. Not long ago a child was found peeling in the class and sent home. A.s the holidays were so near, I did not counsel the closing of this school; bat I advised the medical officer of health with respect to the need of caution as regards its re-opening at once after the holidays. On my suggestion, it was agreed that all the Sunday schools in the district should remain closed during the summer holidays. Dr. Wilkinson di’ew attention in his report to the faulty and incomplete methods of disinfection in vogue. Since his visit there has been improvement in this respect. Clothing and bedding are now treated in a Thresh’s portable steam disinfector, which is kept in the council’s yard, for use in the district when necessary. Formaldehyde spray and sulphur candles are now used for fumi- gating rooms. During this process, houses are vacated for from four to six hours. These improvements, due to Dr. Wilkinson’s advice, have, however, been in force only since the spring of this year, so that it is difficult at present to decide whether they have had any effect in retavding the spread of scarlatina. Pamphlets, giving instructions for dealing with cases of scarlatina, are also left at infected households by the inspector of nuisances ; but they are of doubtful utility, in the absence of and as substitutes for hospital isolation. Dr. Wilkinson emphasised the necessity of providing hospital accommodation, and advised as well a temporary tent or hired house for quarantining contacts. No steps at all have been taken in the latter respect. A brick hospital is, however, in course of erection in a suitable locality close to the town, after plans drawn up by the inspector of nuisances. No architect has been consulted. It is to be paid for out of current rates, the cost being £50 for the site of half an acre, and £530 for a hospital of twelve beds in two wards.