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There has been a little going back during the last year, but we have
improved enormously since the first year of medical inspection. In comparing
different schools, regard must be had to the different class of children who come
to the school, which can be gauged fairly by the percentage of children with
nits among the infants.
The School Nurse makes special visits to the schools to examine whole
classes of children with a view to ascertaining their condition as to cleanliness.
The children with nits are given cards to take home warning their parents of
the condition and giving advice as to how to get rid of nits and vermin.
This officer also visits the homes of scholars who are reported as verminous
or suffering from sores, skin diseases, etc., by the head teachers to the School
Medical Officer, and she obtains the assistance of her male colleagues to deal
with dirty homes and foul bedding. This systematic visiting, which began on
June 1st, 1912, when the School Nurse was transferred to the Public Health
Departnlent, has produced good results—even although no legal action has yet
been taken against neglectful parents.
Cleansing Station.
At the Council meeting on the 26th August, an intimation was received from
the Local Government Board that there were some legal difficulties in the way
of giving their sanction to the proposed loan of £600. Thereupon the Engineer
and M.O.H. were instructed to seek an interview with the Local Government
Board which took place on October 9th. The matter was still unsettled at the
end of the year.
As long ago as November, 1912, my Sanitary Committee and Council
decided that it would be both economical and convenient to have the
Disinfecting Station and the Cleansing Station in the Town Hall Yard.
Measurements.
The following table gives the average weights and height, in the metric
system, of the children examined.
Additional data given are the probable errors and the standard deviation.
In the last columns English weights and measures are given.