The Log Books or diaries of almost all Victorian schools include accounts of the rapid spread of infectious diseases, which occasionally meant that the school had to be closed for weeks.
The lack of money meant that many families did not have healthy food or living conditions.
Many diseases which were often serious and sometimes fatal then are easily treated today.

This example from Ynscedwyn School was recorded in 1879:
(Received information to the) "... effect that one of my children was ill with measles. This disease has been very bad down the valley and is now very much spread in Ystalyfera and Ystradgynlais, this case is the first among the children of this school."
On 16th July in the same year a Log Book entry noted "The measles are now at work fully, there being over 30 children away with them".
The diary entries on the next page tell of one of several closures of local schools because of epidemics...

The fear of epidemics in Victorian schools...