And “measles is the most fatal disease of childhood.”
In evening schools “efforts were made between 1899 and 1903 to teach the simple laws of health…. Prior to 1898 gymnastics were taught in only a few schools.”[188]
In 1902 the Medical Officer resigned, and a new one was appointed who should give his whole time to the work. His first report (1903) is enlightening as to the methods of the School Board in matters pertaining to the health of the children attending the schools.
He wrote:—
“The maintenance of sanitary conditions as regards heating, lighting, ventilation, and cleanliness both of the buildings and persons of the pupils, the detection of early cases of illness … ill-health from many causes, school habits, and school work in their influence on health … these … come under the daily work of the teacher, and there is no requirement that any knowledge of such matters should be possessed by him. It is left to his own common-sense, and he muddles through. The definite requirement of hygienic knowledge as part of the equipment of every teacher is a necessity if a great part of the work of this department is not to be useless in result.”[189]
And in his Report of the following year he wrote:—
“The provision of medical oversight for school life is rapidly becoming a necessity. Five-sixths of the population spend a seventh part of their lives under the exceedingly artificial conditions of the schools, and during the plastic period of life. Their chief function in the earlier part of that period is to grow, and it is necessary that they should not only do this, but do it under favourable circumstances for development.”[190]
Soon after the transfer of the administration of the Education Acts to the London County Council, the medical work of the late School Board was amalgamated with that of the London County Council. The change is one which is likely to be of the greatest benefit to the children in the schools, and through them, as times go on, to the population of London as a whole. The great value of health will receive greater recognition than it has done hitherto, whilst greater facilities for instruction in health matters, and better physical training, cannot fail to have the most beneficial effect. The vast field for this work is evident when it is called to mind that nearly half a million of children are in average attendance at the London County Council Schools.
Three other matters legislated upon by Parliament claim mention.