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the year under review this way of staffing these medical services
has been generally satisfactory. The local doctors who carry out
these auxiliary services are selected by a Sub-Committee of the
Education Committee.
The nursing and clerical staff consists of three whole-time
nurses and one whole-time clerk. One of these nurses spends
her whole time at the School Clinic, while the other two nurse.;
visit the schools and the children at their homes, and help only
occasionally at the School Clinic. In order properly to control
infection in the schools and to visit the homes of all children
in need of treatment, it is calculated that one school nurse is
necessary for every thousand school children; given this number
of nurses, it would be possible to arrange for one to be at each
school when it is opened daily, and for her to follow up absentees,
and to urge their parents to obtain when necessary medical
advice. There is no doubt that the daily presence of a nurse in
each school increases the attendance and helps to prevent disease.
The present time is not opportune for the extension of the
school medical service, but later, when the financial situation is
more favourable, this subject will merit further consideration. It
may, however, be said that, despite our shortage of staff, we have
been able during the year to do much good work in the early
treatment and prevention of disease among the elementary school
children.
Co-operation of School Teachers. — The Teachers and the
School Attendance Officers have co-operated in every possible
way with the school medical service during the year.
EXTENT AND SCOPE OF THE WORK.
During the year the school nurses made 1,018 visits to the
schools and 1,505 visits to the homes of children. At these visits
to the schools the nurses made a cursory examination of no less
than 32,348 children, inspecting them for obvious defects, such
as skin disease, sore eyes, discharging ears or verminous con-