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CIEANLINESS. Routine cleanliness surveys are sometimes conducted at the same time
as the nutritional surveys. On other occasions a school is visited for the purpose of
carrying out a special cleanliness survey. The numbers found to be Infested at these
surveys are augmented by others who are discovered at periodic or special medical inspections.
While the onus of cleansing is upon the parents - and children found to be Infested
are followed up until the school nurse is satisfied that they are clean - a certain number
are treated at the school clinics with a D„D„T. preparation.
During the year, 42,951 Inspections were made at these cleanliness surveys, and
1,774 instances of Infestation found. On the basis of a school population of 28,178, this
gives a proportion of uncleanliness of 6.3% which compares with 5.9% In 1950 calculated in
the same way on a school population of 27,369. This number refers to individual children,
because however many times a child is found dirty In the year, it is only recorded as one
case. There are many Instances of recurrent Infestations in the same children, and these
persistent offenders provide the School Health Service with one of its most pressing problems.
Cleansing notices were Issued in five cases.
Obvious dirtiness of the skin is dealt with largely by the teachers, as well as by
the nurRes at their inspections. Shower baths are available at a number of the schools
and these are most helpful In maintaining the standard of bodily cleat^liness.
FOLLOW-UP. This is a most Important- function of the school nurses whioh is essential
if the full value Is to be obtained from Inspection apd treatment. Many children would weary
of carrying out the doctor®s recommendations and parents fail to co-operate without the
friendly encouragement and advice of the nurse. This service frequently requires the nurse
to visit the children's homes and this is welcomed as an excellent opportunity of getting to
know really intimately the families for whose welfare they are responsible.
During the year the school nurses paid 5,370 home visits in this way.
TREATMENT
RINGWORM. The number of cases of ringworm of the scalp treated during the year was
five. Two of these were referred for X-ray treatment.
The figures for previous years are given for comparisons-
Total No.Treated Received X-ray Treatment
1946 24 16
1947 15 9
1948 7 6
194 9 2 1
1950 4 1
MINOR AILMENTS. The treatment of minor ailments is undertaken at the school clinics.
The total number of conditiohs treated at these clinics during the year was 5,924. Following
Is an analysis of this figures-
External Eye Diseases 341
Minor Ear Defects 379
Skin Diseases 241
Miscellaneous Defects 4,963
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