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95
outbreaks of a mild form of dysentery (Sonne) arose and these
also were investigated and appropriate measures taken to deal
with the cases. In three schools cases of pulmonary tuberculosis
were discovered and full epidemiological investigations were undertaken
in close liaison with the Chest Physicians of the Wandsworth
and Battersea Chest Clinics. Short reports on all these incidents
are found in the body of the Report. There were indications that
there was an increase in the number of cases of scabies amongst
the schoolchildren.
As regards the physical condition of schoolchildren, 99.5% were
found to be satisfactory, a figure identical with last year.
The early detection and treatment of hearing defects is an
important function of the general health and school health
services. So far as early detection is concerned, I have described
in the first part of this Report the purposes of the Handicap and
Observation Register. Once hearing defects have been diagnosed,
their treatment becomes an urgent necessity.
We already have in Wandsworth audiology clinics which deal
with this problem but there is no co-ordinated and fully staffed
service to call on. Consideration was given in 1967 to this problem
and plans were submitted for the erection of a new purpose-built
audiology unit in the Putney area which would be fully staffed
and equipped to deal with all problems related to hearing defects.
This would serve not only Wandsworth but parts of the I.L.E.A.
area adjacent to Wandsworth and would provide a complete and
comprehensive service for children suffering from hearing defects.
There can be no question that an expanded and fully staffed
audiology service will be of the greatest benefit not only to schoolchildren
but also to pre-school children and even to some adults,
and we look forward to the implementation of this project.
Amongst the activities of the School Health Service, none is
more important than the care of the children's teeth. For two and
a half years, in the absence of a Principal Dental Officer, the
immediate responsibility for the administration of the school dental
service devolved on me, with the advice and help, greatly valued,
of Mr. Webster, Dental Adviser to the I.L.E.A., and during the
year progress was made in extending dental inspection to all
children in primary schools and in overcoming certain staffing
problems. Although under this temporary arrangement the standard
of the school dental service was maintained and was even expanded,
the position was not satisfactory. Fortunately, in the
latter half of the year, it was possible to appoint a Principal Dental
Officer in the person of Mr. A. F. Weedon.
Mr. Weedon took up his appointment in the fourth quarter of
the year and so his report for 1967 is short and circumscribed. It
is a great pleasure to be able to say that in the short time he has