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139
These dirty and verminous conditions generally are due
to parental ignorance and neglect. Soap, water and industry
will effect a cure. Work requires to be done to bring home
to the parents their responsibilities in connection with these
matters, and for this purpose the work of the Health
Visitors should be extended to the schools and the homes.
The children, in a class or classes, should be from time to time
periodically examined as regards their freedom from vermin
and nits, and those suffering should be at once excluded,
promptly followed up to their homes, and the parents given
practical demonstrations on how to cleanse. Cleansing
thereafter should be effected by the parents within 14 days.
Ringworm and Other Skin Diseases.—During the
year the Committee decided to establish a Clinic for the
Treatment of Ringworm and a report on the work of this
Clinic appears as Appendix D to this Report.
Treatment is still required for other skin diseases,
especially scabies, eczema, and impetigo, which often lead
to considerable absence from school. They yield to simple
treatment if effectively carried out.
Teeth.—The following Table, No. 97, classifies the
observations made on the teeth of school children —

The above Table shows that only 39.5 per cent of
children attending public elementary schools have sound
teeth, the remaining 60.5 per cent or so having one or