View report page

101
The Deptford School Clinic.
The third report of the Deptford School Clinic or Health
Centre for the school year, ending July 30th, is an interesting
pamphlet recording the continuance of old and the commencement
of new work. The report is really made up of four
reports: three by the officers and the fourth by Miss McMillan,
who started the scheme and still superintends it. The "health
centre" has been recognized by the London County Council,
and up to a certain point carries out the work now happily
being done at school-treatment centres throughout London.
This part of the work is called in the booklet "Council
Diseases," and comprises external eye troubles, errors of
refraction, ear, throat, and nose diseases. In these departments
the doctors estimate refraction, take out tonsils, operate
for adenoids, and otherwise help the child. Wisely, also, the
clinic is used as a centre of education for the parents, who are
encouraged to take the necessary measures for improving the
health of their children. Altogether 3,744 children were seen by
the doctors in these departments, and such a great amount of
good work was done that we are somewhat surprised at an
evident lack of departments for minor ailments and for X-ray
work. The work of the former would seem to be attended to
by a capable nurse, who last year gave treatment to over 500
children ; but it should be noted that in other London County
Council centres a doctor is appointed for these minor ailments,
and the nurse works under him and carries out his directions.
Surely this is the better plan. This obvious defect in the
organization should be remedied. There are probably some
difficulties in arranging for an X-ray department at Deptford,
but the energy which has broken out in so many interesting
activities in so many directions should not in the next year.s
report be forced to write : " We endeavour to get our cases of
ringworm treated at the hospital by X-rays."