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12
These instances serve to emphasize the need and value of
the association between these two departments.

Attendances at the Minor Ailment Clinic have increased
tremendously in the past few years, and the volume of work
at these sessions has correspondingly increased. In my last
year's report I drew attention to the need for extra clerical
assistance as the proper recording of this work was becoming
impossible. 1 am pleased to say that an Assistant Clerk was
appointed for this purpose on 1st November, 1038.
I have often felt some concern at the possibility of malingering
in regard to attendances at this clinic, and it may be
that the seriousness of some of the conditions for which some
children present themselves to the clinic hardly warrant the
time and journey and additional motives may be suspected. I
am convinced however that although there may be one or two
isolated cases who are regular "attenders" for a variety of
causes and are regarded as suspect, this small number would not
justify taking any measures to lessen the accessibility of this
service in an attempt to exclude this possibility.
It must be remembered that a considerable discretion in
referring children to the clinic must remain in the hands of
the head teachers, and I would like to take this opportunity
of complimenting them on the conscientious and sagacious way
in which they maintain this important liason between the
parent, the child and the School Medical Service,