View report page

6
war conditions, as this disease had been on the increase for several
years before war broke out.
The all-round improvement in cleanliness is due to the public
notice given to the condition of many evacuated children in
reception areas, resulting in more attention being paid by parents
to the efforts of the nurses at routine and special inspections
to secure perfect cleanliness of the children.
Nerves
The neurotic child who, before the war, was bidding fair to
become the chief problem in school medicine, has mysteriously
receded into the background for the time being. This, I believe,
is the general experience, and it is an interesting phenomenon.
The explanation-—or, at least, an explanation—may be found in
one word, anxiety. Anxiety in some form or in some degree is
a universal human emotion. In times of peace and prosperity,
parental anxiety, and more especially maternal anxiety, is apt to
be directed unduly towards the health of the child. This
influence sooner or later in many cases causes signs or symptoms
in the child which we call "neurotic" or "nervous." In war,
especially totalitarian war, when the whole population of men,
women and children are exposed to the risks of death and injury
and loss of home, human anxiety has a sufficient and more than
sufficient outlet for its energy—hence the relief from neurosis in
the children.
I have the honour to be,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
R. P. GARROW,
School Medical Officer.