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6
In Hornsey I do not think that there is much malnutrition
caused by lack of food. No doubt there are some children who
would benefit by school meals, but they would benefit from
these not so much because of the quantity as because of the
quality. Bread and jam, cakes and sweets toooften fonn the bull;
of the diet of the growing child; and the entire absence of fresh
foods from many dietaries is deplorable. Even if a man has an
allotment and grows his own green vegetables his family does
not seem to eat lettuces, mustard and cress or cabbages; tinned
milk is often used instead of fresh milk and canned fruits and
fish instead of the fresh articles. With gross errors in diet of
this nature it is not surprising that among the children is found
a certain amount of malnutrition or sub-health. The remedy
lies in the education of the parents, and especially of the children
themselves; and girls at cooking classes should learn not only
how to cook but also what to cook.
Clothing and Footwear.—Out of 2,506 children examined
at the routine inspection during the year 60 were found to have
defective clothing and 69 to have defective footgear.
Uncleanliness.— Out of 2,506 children examined 170 were
found to be unclean at the time of the routine inspection. One
child had live lice in its head, and 133 others had nits (or eggs
of lice), and 35 were found to be flea-bitten. During the year,
as the result of class-to-class inspection, the school nurses have
discovered 800 children who were unclean.
Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids.—Out of 2,506 children
examined at the routine inspection 164 were found to have
enlarged tonsils or adenoids or both of these conditions.
Defective Hearing.—Sixteen deaf or partially deaf children
were discovered during the year. Deafness is due in many cases
to the presence of adenoids; in others, to middle ear disease,
secondary to measles or to scarlet fever.
Defective Vision.—Out of 2,506 children examined at the
routine inspection 196 were found to have defects of vision
which required treatment. Details of these children are given
in Table IV. (Group B).
Other Eye Diseases.—Out of 2,506 children examined at the
routine inspection 4 were found to be suffering from other
diseases of the eyes or eyelids.