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SCHOOL JOURNEY MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
All children in the borough going on school journeys, except those going to I.L.E.A.
camps, were medically examined at least 96 hours before the date of departure to ascertain
whether they were physically fit to go away.
Those going on Adventure Courses and winter expeditions were looked at especially carefully,
to ensure whether they could stand up to the rigorous conditions. The total number
of medical examinations by a medical officer was 1,652 (2,014) for 61 (62) school journey
parties. 1,477 pupils from 29 (31) schools going to I.L.E.A. camps where a school nurse is in
attendance were seen by the school nurse only.
SCHOOL NURSES' INSPECTIONS
Most pupils were seen by the school nurse annually at a comprehensive health survey.
During 1968 21,195 (22,228) of these surveys were carried out, when 1.24% (1.73%) were found
verminous. 6,292 (8,333) selective health surveys were also carried out during the year when
1.53% (2.66%) were found verminous. 0.85% (1.36%) of individual pupils on the school roll
were found verminous. Of the 296 (477) individuals found verminous the majority were cleansed
at home by their parents using a special shampoo issued by the Council, but 39 (46) attended
the bathing centre and were cleansed there.
517 (264) pupils were examined specifically for athlete's foot, 588 (608) for plantar
warts, 1,032 (1,140) for dysentery and 2,718 (1,786) for other communicable diseases.
REMEDIAL FOOT CLASSES
Foot classes for children with flat feet, valgus ankles etc, were held in 11 schools in
the borough three to four times a week by teachers who volunteered for this work, and had
attended a course. Classes lasted 15 - 20 minutes and some children only needed to attend for
one term while bad cases needed two or even three terms. Parental consent was obtained before
a child could enter the class. Classes were visited by a Medical Officer twice a term, at the
beginning to select suitable children, and at the end to decide which could be discharged.
Without the co-operation of the head teachers who made the necessary arrangements to enable
the teachers to take the classes, it would not have been possible for the work to succeed,
and their help and that of the teachers was much appreciated.
AUDIOLOGY
7,647 (6,562) sweep tests and 166 (771) pure tone tests were carried out by school nurses
on children in schools in the borough. Of these, 163 (335) were found to have defective hearing
and were referred for further investigation. 134 (244) attended the audiology sessions held
during the year. There was a total attendance of 435 (511) at the 38 (40) sessions.
In addition, the audiologist paid regular visits to Frank Barnes School for the Deaf and
to the Partially Hearing Unit at Hargrave Park School.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION CLINIC
During the year special investigation clinics for enuretic and obese children, or for
those found suffering from poor nutrition, were held at seven different centres in the borough.
71 (85) children were discharged cured during the year, and total attendances were 1,736
(2,031).
MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN
The number of sessions, new cases and total attendances at school children's clinics
during 1968 (including sessions held in hospital premises) were as follows:-
80