Scarlet Fever Epidemic, October 1895

[BY EYE-ON]

I am sorry to learn that Desborough is once more suffering from a fever epidemic. This time it is scarlet fever, which is stated to be so prevalent that the Medical Officer has closed both the day and Sunday schools. It is a question to my mind, however, whether this is the best course to pursue, seeing that children liberated from school attendance are more likely to go and mix up with those in infected areas, and thus bring about the spread of the disease, In some towns, instead of closing the schools altogether, it is customary only to prohibit the children from houses affected with the fever from attending schools. This appears to me the better way.

The Northampton Mercury, Friday 04 October 1895.