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6
Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Cambridge ami
the Isle of Ely.
This mass movement of children from town to country was
carried out without any major accident, thanks to the efficiency
of the transport arrangements and the superintendence of the
children by their teachers, assisted by voluntary workers.
It is doubtful whether the social and family life of this
country has ever been so profoundly affected by any single
measure. The autumn weather was excellent and a great
majority of the children took kindly to their new surroundings.
There has, however, been a constant tendency for evacuated
children to return to their homes in the Borough.
Uncleanliness.
Evacuation has been the means of calling public attention
to some medical problems which Elementary Education Authorities
have been dealing with for many years. The first and most
important of these is the problem of personal cleanliness. This
is a matter to which close attention has been paid in Hornsey
by frequent inspections by the school nurses, the use of the
Cleansing Centre, as required, and the provision in some of the
schools of facilities for hot baths and sprays for the boys and girls.
I am happy to be able to report that in visiting the schools
throughout the reception counties I saw and heard very little
of uncleanliness amongst the Hornsey school children.
Bedwetting.
Another problem which is always with us is the problem of
nocturnal eneuresis, or bedwetting. Like its sister complaints,
stammering and nail-biting, it is probably on the increase. It
is a manifestation of nerve strain in highly-strung children. It
is not surprising, therefore, that the condition should be determinated
or aggravated by separation of the children from home
and parents. Some of the cases responded to intelligent treatment
and care by the billet mother, others have been accommodated
in hostels in the reception areas and some have returned
home.
General Healii of Evacuated Children.
A concensus of opinion amongst the teachers who accompanied
the children is that there has been a general all-round