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3
GENERAL.
As the tabulated results of medical inspection and treat
ment show, there has been a general increase in the amount
of work done in the Borough during the past year. Coordination
with the Maternity and Child Welfare Service has
been strengthened, and, in particular, great use has been made
of the facilities offered at the three "Welfare Centres" for the
treatment of school children suffering from minor ailments. Increasing
numbers of children under hve years of age attend the
Central School Clinic for such conditions as ear discharge and
squint, and it is hoped that by the early treatment of defects of
this nature children will be spared much disability in later life.
Minor structural alterations have been carried out in certain
of the schools, and plans for the construction of a new school
near the Coppett's lioad housing estate are before the Town
Council at the moment of writing. The provision of a new
school in this situation becomes increasingly urgent as the
housing scheme nears completion, and it is hoped that building
operations will shortly be commenced. In the meantime the
cost of the conveyance of children to and from the various
schools in the Borough is still being undertaken by the Education
Committee.
In all the departments where children living at a distance
remain on the school premises during the mid-day interval
arrangements have been continued to enable such children to
have their dinners in an orderly and comfortable manner. At
each school the meal is supervised by a teacher or by a senior
prefect, and facilities are given for warming the food brought
by pupils.
MEDICAL INSPECTION AND TREATMENT.
Bather more than 37 per cent. of the children on. the rolls
of the various schools were inspected on a routine basis during
1926, while no less than 1,795 special inspections were also made
—practically all of them at the School Clinic.
The following are notes on the principal defects discovered
and the means of treatment available: —
(a) Uncleanliness.—Verminous conditions were found to
be present in 42 per cent. of the children submitted to medical