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It might have been suggested that the bright children would have suffered less than the average
from infectious diseases, but the above table shows that this is not so. This tendency had been noted
in relation to normal as compared with mentally defective children in a return published in the
Annual Report for 1906, p. 42. It has often been shown that measles does not tend to spread in the
upper departments of schools owing to the high proportion of children who have already suffered,
and here we find 90 per cent. of those who replied have had measles. Amongst boys the percentage
who have suffered from scarlatina is eleven, which agrees very closely with the protection rate for the
age group which was worked out by Dr. Stevenson in last year's Annual Report, page 41. Girls
suffered still more heavily, to the extent of 15 per cent. This difference, as I showed some twelve years
ago, emphasises the importance of out of school conditions.
Probationer Scholars.—The standard of health to be expected from these is higher than
in the case of the junior scholars, as from these the pupil-teachers are to be recruited and they will
ultimately have to pass a medical examination under the Superannuation Rules.
According to the regulations, probationer scholarships are open to candidates of not less than
fourteen and not more than 16 years of age on 31st July. Only those candidates are eligible whose
parents enter into an undertaking that they intend the candidates, unless awarded intermediate county
scholarships, to become pupil-teachers if accepted, and after being pupil-teachers to proceed to a
training college with the view of becoming teachers in public elementary schools. These candidates,
therefore, fall within the group 14—16.

In the 245 boys 4 were reported and 3 referred back as unclean; teeth caused 33, and vision
26 references, but 10 more already wore glasses, making a percentage of 14.7 requiring optical aid.
Unhealthy throats were noted in 9 cases, of which 6 were referred back. Other defects noted were
defective hearing 2, articulation 2, deformities 3, anaemia 3, heart disease 2, enlarged glands 1. The
4 cases rejected were:—for high myopia 1, stammering 1, indescribable condition of filthiness 1, and
1 with enlarged tonsils, caries of teeth, poor vision with squint and stammering. In the 552 girls,
want of cleanliness was reported in 52 cases and 42 were referred back on this account. Teeth
required treatment in 92 or 17 per cent. Spectacles were required in 39 cases and already worn in
64 others, making 19 per cent. requiring such aid. In 36 cases throat conditions were unsatisfactory,
and treatment had to be insisted upon in 16. There was anæmia in 39 cases and deformity in 26. Other
defects were heart troubles 9, sub-normal hearing 6, goitre 3, defective articulation 3. The 10 rejected
cases were:—for defective vision 2, profound anæmia 1, stammering and anæmia 1, deafness 1,
uncleanliness 1, and heart disease 4. Two with heart disease were returned as fit to hold scholarships
but not to pass as teachers.
Vaccination.—Owing to the regulations of the Board of Education with regard to the fitness
of teachers, it has hitherto been necessary in all scholarship candidates to make enquiries as to vaccination.
This year amongst the junior scholars, 221 out of 1,869 had never been vaccinated; this
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