[Report 1895] / Medical Officer of Health, Colne Valley (Combined) U.D.C.

  • Colne Valley (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Report 1895] / Medical Officer of Health, Colne Valley (Combined) U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    31/40 (page 31)
    SPECIAL REPORTS Made to the Several Councils of the Authority, upon Outbreaks of Infectious Diseases and Closure of Schools. Golcar, May iith, 1895. Messrs, the Sanitary Authorities of the Urban District of Slaithwaite. Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, In response to a message (from your Sanitary Inspector, Mr. Cocks') sent by telegram on Friday morning. May loth, I visited at noon the West Slaithwaite National School ; I found that the master (Mr. Shackleton) had dispersed the children at noon, and determined not to hold the afternoon meeting in consequence of the greatly decreased attendance ; only 29 (Infants and Mixed together) being present in the morning. Ordinarily the average attendance ranges from 70 to 85. The previous week the average was 59. This condition was due to an epidemic of Measles in the neighbourhood, and I was informed that quite four-fifths of the absentees were either afflicted or inhabitants of infected houses. Several children had been sent from school with the preliminary symptoms manifest. I feel it my duty to advise that in consequence of the general prevalence of the disease in the neighbourhood, which is a scattered one, as also the effects it has had, and is likely to have, upon the school attendance—the closure of the school, and I would further suggest that the period of such closure should at present be stated at one week. During that time full inquiry can be made into all the circumstances of the epidemic, and the school then closed for such further period as may then seem to be necessary and advisable. I am. Gentlemen, Yours faithfully,