Scarlet Foyer.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3906, 6 July 1881, Page 2

Scarlet Foyer.

The following letters were received last evening by the local Board of Health: —" Thames, July 4th, 1881.—The President of the Local Board of Health, Borough of Thames.—Sir,—Having in view the fact that scarlet fever is widely on the increase, not only in the number but in the severity of the cases, and that it is my belief that the public schools on the Thames and more especially those oi Waiotahi, Waio-Karaka, and Tararu, are nothing more uor less thau hot-beds

for the dissemination and propagation of the disease, I consider it my duty to officially recommend the closing of the public schools on the Thames for a period of two months. There have been over fourteen fresh cases of fever within the last seven days. Some of them of the most malignant ■ponsible type. Four in one family have been siricken down simultaneously, and one of the sufferers is now lying in nrtifiulo mortis after three days' illness. Moreover, as the question appears to be very urgent, I have considered it my duty to consult Dr Huxfcable on thei matter, and to request him to furnish me with his opinion of the matter in the form of a letter to you. —I have, &c, Martin H. Payne, Medical Officer to the Board:" "The Chairman and members of the. Board of Health.—Gentlemen, — Having 5 been requested to furnish my opinion,as to the advisability of closing the public schools here for a period of two months, I beg to state that the rapid extension of scarlet fever of late on the Thames, some of the most malignant type, demands this step to be taken.—l have, &c, C. H. HtjxtabiiE. Thames, July 5,1881."