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The work of the Clinic has been very greatly assisted by the able help of Miss
Linford Brown, the School Nurse, which we would gratefully acknowledge.
D. Harold Barr, L.D.S., R.C.S. Eng.
J. Henry C. Davis, L.D.S., R.C.S. Eng.
In 1919, 80 3 per cent, of those inspected by the School Dentist were referred
for treatment, as against 77'8 per cent, this year.
All children who accept treatment when within the age-limit are entitled to
the privilege of treatment until they leave school, although they may be above the
age-limit.
With regard to the Treatment of Uncleanliness, the average number of visits
made to each school by the School Nurses was as follows :—
No. 1, 80. No. 2, 70. No. 3, 30. No. 4, 20. No. 5, 30.
It is estimated that 8,115 examinations of children were made by the School
Nurses, and that 400 children were found to be unclean.
If a child is found unclean, a notice of the condition is sent to the parent or
guardian on a white card, with instructions as to how to treat it ; if the condition
is not improved at a later examination, a red card is sent with instructions ; when
required, this is followed by the notices necessary for compulsory cleansing to be
carried out. The Cleansing Scheme, with the baths at the Cleansing Station, works
well and without friction. During the year twenty boys and twenty-five girls had
one hundred and thirty-five baths in all, this number including two boys and one
girl with scabies.
There were no compulsory cleansings and no prosecutions during the year.
The working of the scheme so smoothly is owing to the tact and kindliness of
Miss Linford Brown, the School Nurse, in dealing with the children. Her colleague,
Miss E. Johnson, is carrying on the work in the same spirit.
Bathing facilities at the schools for all the children would greatly benefit the
scholars, and incidentally improve school attendance and assist the campaign against
uncleanliness.
The number of children referred for other defects than those enumerated in
Table IV (A) (B) (C) (D), and for uncleanliness is ninety-six. Some of these are
treated by attendance under the Medical Inspectors; in the cases of heart disease,
for example, the amount of exercise allowed is regulated. Children with ear discharge
are seen daily by the School Nurse at the Clinic, or when she visits the School.
All cases needing care at home or at hospital are referred to the medical
attendant of the family, or (in cases where the parents cannot provide attendance
at home) to hospital, for treatment.
Of the ninety-six children "referred," forty were treated under the Local
Education's Authority's scheme, and thirty-eight were treated otherwise.