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7
To the Chairman and Members of the
EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the work
of the School Medical Service for the year ending December
31st, 1935.
The work of Medical Inspection of four age groups in all the
elementary schools of the Borough was carried through during
the year by myself and my colleague, Dr. .Tean Sutherland. The
findings of this routine medical inspection, together with the
findings of dental inspection and treatment by the School Dentist,
Dr. Betty Hamilton, of cleanliness inspections by the school
nurses, and the figures relating to the various schemes of treatment
carried out at the School Clinic, are contained in the
statistical tables in this Report.
Tn many respects these figures afford grounds for satisfaction
and gratitude.
Nutrition.
For example, the nutrition survey, set out in Table IIb. in
the form required by the Board of Education, shows that amongst
3.182 children inspected, only 6 per cent, showed "slightly subnormal
nutrition," and not one wan classified as of "bad
nutrition. This is due, no doubt, in large part, to the generally
favourable economic circumstances of the population of the
district. I suggest, however, that it is, in some degree, the result
of the preaching of the gospel of good food which has been undertaken
by your medical officers, school nurses and teaching staffs
for some years. Another factor is the generous view taken by
the Education Committee of its opportunities under the School
Milk Scheme.
The problem of nutrition in relation to public health is now
attracting widespread attention throughout the world. It has
passed the stage of being a medical problem and is attracting the
attention of statesmen and economists. Another pleasing feature
of The situation is that we are beginning to think of the problem
in terms of "optimum nutrition." In the past it has been considered
far too much from the point of view of "malnutrition."
This change of viewpoint and spread of interest in nutrition are
the surest signs of sound progress in public health and national
well-being.