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school children should be sufficiently versed in the methods of
psychological medicine to deal with difficult children, to measure
intelligence, to distinguish between the various degrees of mental
retardation and deficiency, and to advise on the educational,
social and medical requirements of such children.
This indeed is the most interesting and useful branch of
school medical work—but it is very time-absorbing. It has been
greatly assisted in the last year by the appointment of an Educational
Psychologist, Miss Kent.
Nutrition.
As school milk and meals extend their influence, and education
in proper diet becomes general, the word " malnutrition,"
in common use ten or a dozen years ago, ceases to have a sinister
social significance. The present position is that every child is
as well fed as its neighbour, and if he is not so fat, the reason is
that his metabolism differs.
In bidding farewell to the old order, and welcoming the new,
I desire to acknowledge with gratitude the excellent work of my
colleagues in the school medical departments—Doctors, Dentists,
Nurses, Clerks and Specialists; the great assistance we have
always had from the Director of Education and his staff; the
whole-hearted co-operation of the Teaching Staffs of the schools
(without whose help a school medical service cannot function);
the support received from the School Care Committees; and the
keen interest of the Education Committee in everything pertaining
to the welfare of the school children.
I have the honour to be.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
R. P. GARROW.
School Medical Officer.