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10
The number of children suffering from severe heart disease
is three. One of these attends an elementary school and is doing
very well. The other two are in hospital.
The general position, then, with regard to defective children
is that they are relatively few in numbers, and all of them who
require special school or institutional care are receiving it.
Physical Education.
The education of the child's body is now receiving the attention
it merits. In January, 1936, the Board of Education issued
Circular 1,445 on " Physical Education," and in April a Special
Committee of the British Medical Association on Physical Education
issued its report.
It is some years now since the first appointments of organisers
of physical training were made in Hornsey jointly with adjoining
authorities. These appointments, and the keen interest and
enthusiasm which has developed amongst the teaching staffs, is
already bearing fruit in improved physique of the school children.
There is still room," however, for vast improvement in
posture, breathing capacity and general physical development of
many of the boys and girls.
Voluntary Workers.
This Annual Report is not intended to be an exhaustive
account of all the activities of the School Medical Service during
the year. The work of the various departments—medical, dental,
aural, ophthalmic, orthopaedic, nursing and clerical—is all on a
fairly settled basis and runs smoothly. To describe the whole
in detail each year would mean unnecessary repetition.
I cannot, however, close without acknowledging the support
and assistance which every branch of the work receives from the
Director of Education and his staff, the teaching staffs of the
schools, and the large and enthusiastic band of voluntary workers
who compose the six District Care Committees and the Central
Care Committee. Their work on behalf of the school children is
invaluable.