RAWHITIROA DIPHTHERIA

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1929, Page 8

RAWHITIROA DIPHTHERIA

SCHOOL TO OPEN ON MONDAY. INFECTION HAS DIED OUT. Owing to the recent prevalence of diphtheria in the Rawhitiroa district the school is at present closed and at a meeting recently it was decided to ask that the school should remain closqd'foil, after the holidays. It will, howon Monday, the Taranaki Education Board having come to thA conclusion yesterday, after hearstatement from Dr. Ujs Meeredy, medical officer of health. will be visited by the chairman., zd the board (Mr. S. G. Smitjj^ Jj\LP.) 4 and the ward members. Mr7juCqpkmt~ chairman of the school committee,, said.’ diphtheria had certainly, ragftSin the district, for out of' a roll of J/L 13 children had contracted th'e_ disease and had been sent tor hospital and *l2 others had been “carriers^ - had been five outbreaks auring&even or eight years. Mr. Cocker then, quoted the details recently- fepoftecP ffT the Daily News, 2__‘T)n6 reason the parents desired the echooT t'a<remaif£ closed next year was, been advised not to send th£‘childreri' who had been in hoe-' pital until they had recuperated. They were run down and not in a fit condition for instruction. The parents were frightened. The committee had closed the school for three weeks, during which no cases had been reported. Shortly after it was re-Opened more children went to hospital. By next Monday it would have been closed five weeks altogether. The school building had been condemned by the board’s architect and by Dr. Meeredy, who had said it was the draughticst school in Taranaki. Under these conditions the children became run down physically and were unable to withstand the disease. As chairman -of the school committee he had been asked to convey the request of the settlers to the board, which was asked to see that the school conditions were made more healthy. In answer to the chairman, Mr. Cocker said the school had been closed for

three weeks five weeks ago. It was then opened for a week, but there was another outbreak, in consequence of which it was closed again. He himself had closed it again a week ago and the

time had been extended till next Monday by Dr. Meeredy. Dr. Meeredy informed the board that there had been quite a well-marked epidemic of diphtheria of a mild type at Rawhitiroa. Only one of the children was seriously ill. He had said the school was draughty, but ho. had not said it was the draughticst in Taranaki. He had obtained swabs from the children and had found them all clear except one.

“As far as we can tell the infection has died out,” proceeded the doctor. “It must be remembered, too, that probably between 35 and 50 per cent, of children develop diphtheria at one period of their school lives.”

Dr. Meeredy recommended that the school should be re-opened on Monday, with the proviso that only those children fit to be sent should be sent. He did not think this would give rise to any fresh cases, although, of course, one could not make a definite statement.

Referring to the unsuitability of the building, Mr. Smith said it had been erected in 1897 and added to the next year.

Mr. Cocker pointed out that one room got very little sunlight either in the morning or the afternoon and was very cold and draughty. He suggested the building should be remodelled. The architect (Mr. C. H. Moore) said he would not favour remodelling, as he considered the only solution was an entirely new building. The chairman pointed out that the board had always been sympathetic to the needs of Rawhitiroa and would give the matter earnest consideration, but the board did not want' to take a step and then have someone say afterwards “I told you so.” Dr. W. M. Thomson said there was no doubt that the school itself was not the source of infection; the only source was the children who came to school as “carriers.”

Dr. Mecredy said he had offered to give the children the Schick test, which wae quite a safe practice, but only a few parents had responded. Under this test a drop was injected and the reaction showed whether the subject was still susceptible. The chairman assured Mr. Cocker that the question would receive the board’s attention. - He did not think the settlers need trouble about remodelling. The board had great confidence in its architect. The chairman: So have we. > The chairman was authorised to confer with the architect and the senior inspector on the question of accommodation at the school.

CRICKET MATCH TO-DAY. The following will represent the Hamatch against Stratford, at Stratford, to-day; Warrail, Millar, Stevens, Sargent, Shaw, Coleman, Cate, ikehely, Cottcr.il, Dunlop, Foy. All other players will hold a practice match at the park. AUROA NEWS. The young people of Auroa are very busy preparing for the annual Sunday School celebrations at the close of the year. Solos and duets are being practised for the anniversary services to be held on the afternoon and evening of December 1. On Tuesday the children will hold a concert to be given by Hawera talent, including Mr. Emmett and party, while on December 3 the Bible Class members will hold their annual tea and social in the local hall. Mrs. H. Hartley is visiting friends in Christchurch. Mrs. W- Haworth has. returned home > h’dspitaL