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( b) Uncleanliness.
I am satisfied that the condition of the majority of Edmonton school
children leaves nothing to be desired in cleanliness but a small percentage
are persistently found to be "dirty" and are cleansed by the Nursing Staff
at the Town Hall Clinic.
The Nurses have made great efforts to bring to the minds of the
defaulting mothers their duties towards their children, and in many instances
good results have been achieved, but I regret to state that there are still a
large number who apparently take no interest in the welfare of their children.
It is interesting to record that I have repeatedly found that a child
excluded from school on account of a "dirty" head belongs to a mother who
goes out to work during the day and consequently cannot pay the required
attention to her home and children.
(c) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.
This year I am pleased to record that the intensive efforts made by the
Staff have brought about a marked decrease in the incidence of that unsightly
complaint Impetigo.
(d.) Visual Defects and External Eye Disease.
In general, the scheme provides for the refraction of all cases of visual
defects twice yearly, all cases of myopia or squint and astigmatism.
There still exists in the minds of many parents a definite antipathy to
their children wearing spectacles, reflected in the space of time which elapses
between the glasses being supplied and collected by the parents or children.
Glasses are supplied if prescribed by the Surgeon at the contract rate to
the Committee and where the income is below the Committee's Scale (which
is very generous) glasses are provided free.
The School Medical Officer requests parents to attend at the Town Hall
when it is considered that parents have no intention of collecting the glasses
or refuse to allow a refraction.
I intend during the course of the coming year to organise a scheme
whereby Head Teachers are informed whenever glasses are prescribed, so
that any child who does not wear them will be reported to me immediately.
I am convinced that the time spent on an explanation (and sometimes a
demonstration) is amply repaid.
Dr. Smith-Clark, the Committee's Ophthalmic Surgeon, continues her
good work, but I am afraid that provision will shortly have to be made for an
increase in the number of her weekly sessions.
Dr. Smith-Clark has kindly supplied me with the following report:—
During the year 1938 an even more progressive advance has been made
than that detailed in my last Report, as is shown by the fact that there was
an increase in the number of Refractions from 851 to 967 in the Elementary
children and from 145 to 198 in the children of the Secondary Schools. The
parents, likewise, show an increasing interest in the subject, as is exemplified
by the increase in the number attending with their children and by the
interest they show at the Clinic.
"The Clinic is very well situated, both as to its site and its pleasant
surroundings."
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