76 HOME Ti; KATMENT AND 



tioncd in this paper, many babies are constantly 

 passing through the receiving houses where ; 

 case upon which I commented occunvl. The 

 child, therefore, was constantly in contact with 

 sixteen other children of under four years of age. 



The reference to the danger of pen and pc>nril 

 infection is thus referred to in an official copy of a 

 memorandum of the Local Government Board : 



"Memorandum on the Circumstances UH<KT 

 which the Closing of Public Elementary Schools 

 or the Exclusion therefrom of particular Children 

 may be required in order to prevent the Spread of 

 Disease : " 



"Diphtheria and other diseases in schools are often 

 conveyed from child to child by school appliances 

 used first by one and then by another, such as 

 slates cleaned with spittle, pen-holders and pencils 

 which are apt to be sucked or chewed, and drink- 

 ing vessels used in common. Appropriate steps 

 should be taken to avoid such dangers." 



So far as I have heard, however, the foregoing 

 suggestion has never been in any way carried into 

 effect. 



This note, I should add, was first brought to my 

 notice in a most kind and courteous letter received 

 from a member of the Local Government Board. 

 On account of the valuable suggestions of this 

 letter I append it in full. 



