Scarlet Fever in Wateringbury: school to close (1905)

Post date: Jan 28, 2012 7:6:9 PM

The Wateringbury parish magazine of March 1905 reported an outbreak of scarlet fever in the village

SCARLET FEVER—In view of the fact that this disease prevails in several neighbouring parishes, that it has recently broken out in different parts of our parish, the authorities have advised closing of our schools for at least 21 days. By this means and by the prompt removal of cases to the infirmary it is hoped that a general spread of the disease may be averted. There have been isolated cases in the parish for several months past, and it is feared that one or two have escaped detection.

The period of incubation is very short and the attack is sometimes very slight; but the slightest case suffices to spread the contagion so that, for the sake of the community, cases of slight indisposition and sore throat in children should, under present circumstances, be brought immediately under the notice of a doctor. Moreover, in the mildest attacks very serious consequences may ensue and are likely to ensue, if neglected. The period of desquamation or peeling is supposed to be the most infectious; but experience shows that patients remain infectious even after peeling has ceased. Osler suggests 13 weeks as the longest and 8 weeks as the shortest period of infection. This is longer than is usually supposed, but Osler is no mean authority. Houses retain their infective character for a very long time, and even the most careful disinfection fails sometimes to ensure freedom from danger. All this points to the need of great watchfulness and the advantage of the isolation hospital, in spite of the fact that the disease seems to be less virulent than it was a generation ago. Verbum sap.

Scarlet fever had for most of history been an endemic disease, meaning it was present most of the time but in a quite mild form. From 1840 until 1883, scarlet fever became one of the most common infectious childhood diseases to cause death in most of the major metropolitan centers of Europe and the United States, with case fatality rates that reached or exceeded 30% in some areas--eclipsing even measles, diptheria, and pertussis. But as the Rev Livett correctly stated it was, by 1905, less severe with fewer deaths resulting. Nevertheless fear of the disease would have been conditioned by the memories of a previous generation. Twenty miles away at Downe in the 1850s, Charles Darwin had lost two of his children to Scarlet Fever.

Three months later he was again worried:

SCARLET FEVER.—A recrudescence of this serious disease has appeared among us under circumstances which justify apprehension that the authorities are not in a position to stamp it out effectually. Report says that the hospital is unable to receive the patients. So long as the hospital accommodation is insufficient, we may be sure of the continuance of the disease in our midst. Moreover there is a suspicion that patients sent to the hospital are sent back home too soon. In many of our cottage homes it is impossible to carry out isolation effectively. Professor Osler says that a patient may remain infective for as long as 13 weeks, and that in his opinion 8 weeks is the minimum period of danger. There is a further suspicion that the accepted methods of disinfection are not effective. It is doubtful whether even burning sulphur in a perfectly sealed room can penetrate between the leaves of a closed book, or kill all the germs lying in cupboards or drawers which have contained infected clothing. Everything points to the absolute necessity of adequate isolation and hospital accommodation. These remarks are not written in an alarmist spirit: they are merely intended to draw attention to facts that ought to be faced. It is time that our Parish Council meet to consider the matter carefully, and if necessary to make a strong protest to the authorities.

See also Health and sanitation and The Churchyard (deaths from cholera and flu) and school and sanitation