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196
(c) To ascertain in cases where action has not been
taken, what is the reason for failure to obtain treatment
;
(d) To take steps to remove obstacles in the way of
children obtaining treatment;
(e) To re-examine all defective children at a reasonable
interval after the primary examination, in order to
ascertain any change there may be in the condition
oniginally noted, or the effect of any treatment
received.
All the above work is specially important in enabling
Ihe Local Education Authority to determine to what extent
treatment for school children may be required in the district.
The following up of cases at their homes by Health
Visitors under item 2 (b), (c) and (d) above is not effective
where, as in this District, Health Visitors do not attend
and assist in the actual Medical Inspection of the cases.
1'he information obtained by such enquiries should be checked
by the Assistant School Medical Officers under item 2 (e)
above, which 1 have already indicated is not properly carried
out.
(3) Cost.
In comparing the cost it is necessary to consider the
question in relation to the two systems when both are
approximately equally efficient.
(a)—Part-Time.—With regard to the existing system, in
which .'36 part-time Assistant Medical Officers are employed,
I was of op'nion at the end of 1912 (vide Annual Report of
School Medical Officer, page 32) that four Health Visitors
would require to be added to the then existing staff:—
(a) To undertake the bulk of the work now performed
by teachers under 1 (d) above;
(b) To be present at medical inspection;
(c) To render the process of following up effective on
the lines indicated in 2, above.