Observations on NASOPHARYNGEAL EPIDEMICS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Abstract

CERTAIN semi-isolated communities, which are under strict control, seem to be designed for epiderniological study, and of these the public schools of England offer a unique field for observation.-Few communities are more comparable and homogeneous in the age distribution, in the nationality, and in the nurture-of the individuals comprising them. Yet, with the exoeption of the classical work of Clement Dukes, little systematic epidemiological work seems to have been carried out withthis-matchless material. Surgeon Commander Dudley has, however,-'shown 'what can ie done with somiewhat similar material, and 'his 'two reports on the Roy J Naval :SchoQ. at Greenwich, based largely upon the careful records of Surgeon Captain P.' M. May, R.N., and published by tho.Medical Research Council,1 are, I think, even more important c"ontribiitions to school epidemiology than Dr.-Clement Dukes's studies at Rugby. As early as 1905 Dukes showed that the public schools were suffering an increased numnber of infectious diseases; this was largely due to the greater care exercised at home and at preparatory s&hools in 'preventing infectious disease., and to the consequent greater ppoportion of boys 'who reached public sehools unprotected by previous attack. There is, I think, a general impregsion that a further postwar increase has takenplace. OtIrer *factors may be concerned in this postwar. increase, such as: (1) the greater prevalence of influenza since the epidemic of 1918; (2) the great increase in the number .of boys sent to public schools since the war, causing overcrowding in classrooms and 3 13 192.