The history and circumstances of a peculiar outbreak of febrile disease in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Industrial School for Boys, Glasgow, March, 1888 / by James B. Russell ; with note on the clinical aspect of the disease by Samson Gemmell.
- Russell, James Burn, 1837-1904.
- Date:
- 1888
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The history and circumstances of a peculiar outbreak of febrile disease in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Industrial School for Boys, Glasgow, March, 1888 / by James B. Russell ; with note on the clinical aspect of the disease by Samson Gemmell. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
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![Health and general condition.—Several cases of ophthalmia, and two cases of rheumatism ; several of bronchitis and pneumonia. In November and December, 1884, six cases of measles. In the early part of 1885 several cases of bronchitis and pneumonia. In Octobei', November, and December, 1885, the school sufiered from a prolonged attack of typhus fever; there were 65 cases in all. Happily it was of a mild type, but two girls died, and one of the attendants, a Sister of Charity, also succumbed. The outbreak was the subject of special investigation and enquiry. It was probably introduced into the school, but was allowed to get strength before it was fairly grappled ^vith. The premises have been care- fully examined, the sanitary arrangements looked into, and measures of prevention adopted. But the school is badly situated, and should be removed into the country. There were five deaths in the year. (p. 274). 1886. Boys—Health and general condition.—I cannot say that the situation of the school is a healthy one. The boys are constitutionally feeble on admission, and require female care and superintendence up to a certain age. They are very subject to pulmonary complaints, and very often succumb to such attacks. There were two deaths in 1886; one with diseased bone of foot, which he was obliged to lose; several cases of pneumonia and bronchitis in the early part of the year. Boys are properly cared for, and looked bright and cheerful. I saw no indications of neglect j on the contrary, the children are treated Avith much kindness and attention. (p. 287). Girls— State of premises.—I found that, in consequence of the alarming outbreak of typhoid [Typhus'] fever in the school, in November, 1885, the sanitary condition of the house had been much improved. The whole house had been renovated, the drain- age carefully examined, and everything objectionable removed. The dormitories were clean and SM^eet, new bedding supplied, and the whole house purified and cleansed as far as possible. Health and general condition.—The health of the children since the serious outbreak of 1885-6 had been good. One death in the year. The sick-room was unoccupied on the day of my visit. Th ere had been a few rheumatic cases, and some cases of ophthal- mia and bronchitis. The children had a healthy appearance generally. (p. 289). The burden of all these official reports is the unhealthiness of these schools, their unwholesome position, their repeated invasion by infectious disease which always spreads. This shows want of sufficient air-space both within and without. Pneumonia and other lung diseases are chronically prevalent from the same cause, and especially severe among the boys. Ample testimony is borne to the care bestowed upon the inmates, and to the numerous](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22299981_0021.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
