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162
TREATMENT OF DEFECTS FOUND IN SCHOOL
CHILDREN.
During the major part of 1914 the arrangements for the treatment
of minor ailments amongst school children were similar to
those in force previously, i.e., a clinic held twice weekly at the
Town Hall for the treatment of ringworm and other minor skin
conditions.
It had been felt for some time, however, that an extension of
this work was necessary. It is clear that many of the minor ailments
revealed by the medical inspection of school children have,
unless actively treated, a very harmful effect both upon the child's
physical welfare and upon his educational progress. In some
instances the poverty of the home or the indifference of the parents
precludes the possibility of private treatment; in others the nature
of the ailment not only necessitates medical advice, but skilled
nursing attention to see that that advice is properly carried out.
The Committee therefore resolved that a special Treatment Centre
should be established to deal with these minor and contagious conditions
in school children, particularly where, for the reasons given
above, proper treatment was not available. By joint action with
the Sanitary Committee—at that time engaged in the establishment
of a centre for the treatment of infants—the house at 228, London
Road, was taken on lease and fitted up as an "Infants' and
Children's Centre." The premises were opened on November
24th, and have been in active use since that date.
The treatment of school children is carried out in the ground
floor rooms. On two mornings in the week one of the Assistant
Medical Officers attends to see the cases, and a Health Visitor
(who is a fully trained nurse) is there daily to carry out the treatment
and to instruct parents. As the centre has only been active
for so short a period in 1914, statistics are not given at present, but
will be incorporated in the annual report for 1915. So far the
work has been most successful.
School children who require more thorough medical examination
than can be given at the ordinary school inspections are
examined at the centre by appointment.
INFECTIOUS CONJUNCTIVITIS, TONSILS AND
ADENOIDS.
The treatment of infectious conjunctivitis, and of tonsils and
adenoids, is referred to in previous paragraphs.