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118
GENERAL RESULTS OF ROUTINE MEDICAL
INSPECTIONS.
HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS.

WANT OF CLEANLINESS.
Of the 5,792 children examined,
22 = 38% had vermin in the head.
494 = 8'5% ,, nits ,, ,,
85 = 1.4% ,, dirty heads without vermin or nits.
Among the 5,792 children 2 only were found with body vermin and
184 = 3.1 % were described as dirty.
These figures are slightly better than those of the preceding year.
On the whole there continues to be a steady improvement; it is
exceptional to see the markedly verminous head that was quite
common a few years ago.
Very considerable help has been given by the teachers in raising
the standard of cleanliness They have great facilities for approaching
the children and their parents, and most teachers have made the best
of their opportunities.
CLEANSING STATION.
During the year 17 school-children were cleansed at the station
011 account of body-vermin. 49 school-children were similarly treated
as they were suffering from scabies (the itch). This condition was
more prevalent during the war, many families having been infected
by contact with soldiers.
CLOTHING.
Children with defective clothing numbered 22 = .37 per cent.
„ ,, dirty „ 98 = 1.6 „
„ „ defective footgear „ 23 = .39 „
It is much more common to find children with too much clothing
than too little. The child is nearly always specially prepared for
medical inspection and figures describing cleanliness and clothing are
somewhat misleading.