In May 1895, a measles epidemic had broken out in Blantyre and by the end of that month, so many local children were ill, that authorities were forced to take action.
Blantyre School Board held an urgent meeting, Mr John Craig of Bellsfield presiding. The prevalence of measles had already meant the earlier closure of Stonefield Parish School on Glasgow Road and though it had just re-opened, the absence rate was a whopping 40% of missing pupils. This must have been due to actual illness, or parent keeping their children back from school.
To restrict the spread of the epidemic, authorities decided that the pupils’ usual 3.5 weeks summer holiday would be taken earlier. So that year in 1895, Low Blantyre School closed on 1st June and re-opened to pupils on 24th June. High Blantyre School, affected by the outbreak more, closing the same day, but re-opened later on 1st July. Looking at these dates, I’m inclined to think the holidays are short, certainly by comparison to modern school holidays and must have passed by quickly for all pupils.
It seems to have done the trick through, and by August the outbreak was contained. Sadly, there are many young deaths recorded in this year.
On Social Media, the following comments were received on Facebook:
Carol King Aye it affected rich and poor but sadly poverty – over poor crowded living conditions meant it killed more poor people