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5. FINDINGS OF MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Table II., Appendix A, gives a return of defects found in the
course of medical inspection, both at routine and special ,
examinations, in 1921. Some of the noteworthy defects so discovered
are considered more particularly below.
Uncleanliness.
Out of 8,080 children examined at Routine Inspections, 47 or
0.58 per cent. were found to harbour body vermin; 61 or 0.57 per
cent. had head vermin; 709 or 8.7 per cent. were found to have
nits in the hair although no adult lice were seen; 15 or 0.18 per
cent. had simply dirty heads: whilst 86 or 1.0 per cent. were
described as dirty generally.
Compared with last year, the figures show a slight decrease
and the improvement which had been made during previous years
with the exception of the year 1920 is again being manifested.
Apart from the Routine examinations, Uncleanliness Inspections
were conducted by the School Nurses at the various Council
Schools. 16,817 children came under review, 9 had body vermin,
278 head vermin, and 1,940, whilst having no adult lice, were
found to harbour the eggs in the hair. Slightly over 1/8 th of these
children gave evidence of vermin infestation.
Cleansing Station.
Eight children were cleansed on account of body vermin.
Scabies is less prevalent than in 1920; 8 children were treated
for this condition. In every case of body vermin and scabies
personal clothing, bedding and the room occupied by the child
infected are disinfected on the same day as arrangements have
been made to cleanse the child at the Station. Facilities are also
offered for cleansing any or all of the remaining members of the
family. Cleansing of verminous heads alone is not undertaken as
a routine measure, mainly owing to lack of accommodation.
Clothing.
Children with dirty clothing numbered 22, or 0.27 per cent.
Children with defective footgear numbered 18 or 0.22 per cent.
Footgear which afforded insufficient protection has been
observed in a considerable number of other children, although the
condition is not sufficient to warrant these cases being included
under the heading of defective footgear. In most instances it
appeared to be the result of financial stress in families.
Average Heights and Weights.