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great emphasis cannot be laid upon the importance of recognising
rheumatic troubles in children. In most instances the only obvious
symptom of rheumatic fever in a child is the recurrence of so-called
"growing pains." Every child that complains of pains of this
nature should be overhauled, as these apparently trivial symptoms
are often accompanied by serious heart disease, which could in most
instances be arrested if the disease were recognised and treatment
secured.
LUNG DISEASES.
In 14 instances phthisis was diagnosed at the inspection, and
in 5 additional children this disease was suspected. Other lung
diseases were noted in 89 instances. Hygienic advice was tendered
to the parents of all these children. The rule followed in respect
to phthisis is to exclude all children with active mischief, as they
are considered to be a danger to others. Children with quiescent
disease are excluded from school or not, according to circumstances.
When the home conditions are such that the children could be
properly looked after, exclusion is advised until convalescence is
fully established. When the mother goes out to work, or the home
is otherwise unsatisfactory, children are allowed to attend school at
an earlier stage in their recovery. The means for dealing with
children of this sort cannot be considered satisfactory until a class
for physically defective children has been established.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
At the routine inspections communicable diseases were
diagnosed in 43 instances. These included ringworm 26, impetigo
contagiosa 6, scabies 4, whooping cough 6, diphtheria 1, and scarlet
fever 1. These numbers are, of course, in addition to the children
who are specially examined on account of the known prevalence
of some communicable disease in the school.
MENTAL DEFECTS.
Forty-three or one per thousand children were noted to be
mentally defective. In addition, a number of infants entered as
"very dull" may prove, on further observation, to be mentally
slightly defective.