INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13451, 30 May 1907, Page 3

INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN SCHOOLS.

; POLICY OP THE HEALTH I ,*•;** ; PARTMENT. . Db. J. S. Purdy, district health officer, " lias addressed tho following letter to the . Auckland Education Board. '■ \i There seems to be a general idea prevalent, not < only in Auckland province, but also in the city • and suburbs, that as soon as any disease of an infectious nature breaks out the school should lie closed. This is, however, a measure that ■'eel- ' dom ought to he enforced except in the presence i of an actual widespread. epidemic, and not even . then a*: a matter of routine, nor unless there be a clear prospect of preventing the propagation of disease, such as could not be looked for from : lees comprehensive action. As to exclusion from , school of particular scholars, it may be laid down as a principle that all children suffering from any dangerous infectious disease should be exeluded from school , until there is reason to believe that they have- ceased to be in an infectious condition. I need hardly point,out that were I to act on the -Hues of closing schools whenever eases of''infectious disease were notified, or oven declared to be "prevalent," some schools would hardly ever be open. As the non-attendance of children excluded from school owing to infectious disease seriously interferes with the average daily attendance, tln.'re are undoubtedly many ease* where, under the present method of payment, a strong incentive is given to headmasters to urge closure upon their committees. The communication was read at yesterday's meeting of the Education Board, and the chairman remarked that one or two cases liad occurred in which the committees had closed down schools during an epidemic. Mr. Edgecumbe observed that the Laying. down of a. general policy by the health officer would be useful to committees, as often they" were in. doubt as to what course should be pursued to arrest the progress of an outbreak of infectious diseases. It was decided to send a copy of the health officer's letter to all I school committees in the district.