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131
The above cases, many others similar to which could be cited, require little
comment. By dietetic, sunlight and general hygienic treatment nearly all cases of
rickets are cured without either instruments or operation and suffering is therefore
minimised; otorrhoea is treated early and continuously until cure is effected;
special attention is paid to the diet of the debilitated; clothes are given to the
needy, and when sick at home children are visited by members of the staff of the
school.
Milk, meals and cod liver oil.
The total number of samples of milk analysed was 1,483. Of these 60 (4.04
per cent.) were unsatisfactory, 1.01 per cent. containing added water and 3.03 per
cent. showing a deficiency of fat. The maximum addition of water in any one sample
was 6.3 per cent. whilst the greatest abstraction of fat was 48.3 per cent. It is to be
noted that in general, the quality of the milk supplied shows much improvement
when compared with the previous year's supplies. Of the meals supplied to the
children at various centres, 13 samples were examined in the Council's central
laboratory, and, where necessary, attention was called to the need for an increase
in the protein content or the calorific value.
Supervision
of dietaries.
Meals of milk or cod liver oil are extensively supplied in school to debilitated
children on the school doctor's advice. Dr. Chaikin has supplied the following note
upon the extent of this work in the Eastern division.
" Special sessions are allotted in the Assistant Medical Officer's rotas each term
for the inspection of children receiving milk, and malt and oil meals. The number
of sessions thus allotted during 1927 is here detailed:
E lamination
of children
in receipt of
milk meals
and cod liver
oil.
Spring.
Summer.
Autumn and
Winter.
Sessions 136 129 132
Part Sessions 64 60 65
"A card (M.T. 56) is filled up by the school doctor when a child is recommended
for milk, or malt and oil. The children are examined each term, and the following
entries made on the cards: (1) weight and height; (2) recommendation as to continuance
or discontinuance of milk, or malt and oil; (3) information as to reason
for non-examination (e.g., gone to another school, left school, etc.).
"These records are used as the basis for determining the necessity for the
allocation of special sessions and for close 'following up' of children who fail to
attend for medical examination.

"The number of current cases at the beginning of the Spring term, 1928, was
6,420."
Special enquiries.
Assistance has continued to be given to the special committees of the Board
of Education. In the earlier part of the year a number of measurements were
taken for the Board's Anthropometrical Committee, and the investigation of changes
of vision during early life has continued to be carried out for the Board's committee
of enquiry into visual defect.