SCHOOL EPIDEMICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1428, 1 May 1912, Page 4

SCHOOL EPIDEMICS.

« WEEKLY SPRING-CLEAN SUGGESTED. Replying to an inquiry by the Wellington Education Board on the subject of school epidemics and disinfection —tho inquiry was prompted by the Nowtown School Committee—the District Health Officer (Dr. Chesson), wrote to the board yesterday as follows:— "The work of disinfection for the prevention of infectious diseases has been for some timo now handed over to tho Hospital Boards, and consequently the authority dealing with disinfection in this district at the present timo is tho Wellington Hospital Board. Disinfection once a year would mot, however, be a safe measure to trust to for the prevention of various epidemics in the schools. At any time disinfection is only a preliminary step to a thorough and efficient liouse-cleaning. In my opinion, therefore, tho various school committees should be instructed to have tho schools under their control thoroughly nnd efficiently 'spring-cleaned' every week; this 6hould include attention to floors, walls, and desks especially. Slates and everything used or likely to be used by tho children in common should be cleansed daily. I think if such matters were conscientiously and regularly attended to moro good would bo dono than by an occasional disinfection." Dr. Chcsson'e report was received.