View report page

4
In 3 there was a fair cloud, but none of these cases showed presence of albumen at the second
examination.
In 4 there was a thick cloud, and of these albumen was present in 2 on the second occasion.
Nervous system.—Three of the intermediate boys suffered badly from stammering, an affliction
which would exclude them from any Government appointment.
Advice as to occupation.—On the reports of those scholars suffering from colour blindness,
defective vision, heart or kidney mischief, advice was given as to the pastimes and occupations
it would be well for them to avoid, and the probability of some of them not being able to obtain
posts for which physical examinations had to be passed, was, mentioned.
The number of children who are found to be suffering from defective hearing, defective eyesight,
or adenoid growth in the naso-pharynx, undetected and therefore untreated, among
a class of boys who, being winners of scholarships, are probably above the average London
schoolboy in physical as well as mental powers, makes it evident that great good could be
done, and much irretrievable and permanent harm prevented, by a more general medical
inspection of schoolboys than is now the custom.
Analysis of the physical examination of 23 training college scholars.
General appearance.—19 good, 4 fair.
Lungs.—There was no case of lung disease. One lad, whose brother died of consumption,
had signs of an old abscess under one arm, but was at the time of examination in good health
and fairly robust.
Heart.—One scholar had slight mitral regurgitation, and 5 had hæmic murmurs, but there
was no heart disease of import.
Spine.—There was no case of spinal disease.
Eyes.—There was no case of colour blindness.
Acuteness of vision.—In 18 cases the vision was normal, in 2 it was below " army standard."
but in both these glasses were worn.
Throat and nose.—3 scholars had somewhat enlarged tonsils, and one had had adenoids
removed. One scholar was suffering from chronic laryngitis. One of the scholars with enlarged
tonsils had defective hearing.
Hearing.—2 scholars suffered from defective hearing.
In 1 the hearing was fair,
and in 1 „ „ poor.
The latter had had a discharge from both ears in childhood.
Urine.—In 3 cases there was a faint cloud of albumen in the urine, one of these had had scarlet
fever.
General Remarks.—The physical condition of these scholars was, on the whole, decidedly
satisfactory, being superior to that of the junior and intermediate scholars, as may be seen by
comparing the statistics of general appearance and acuteness of vision and hearing in the
three classes. The only scholar who suffered from anything likely to interfere with his career
as a teacher was one who had chronic laryngitis. Instructions were given as to this being
treated, and the lad will be re-examined later.
Leslie Thorne Thorne,
26th June, 1903. Medical Examiner.
II.—Report upon the girls by Dr. May Dickinson Berry.
At the medical examination held in September, 1902, and January, 1903, 247 junior and 29
intermediate scholars presented themselves.
Analysis of the physical examinations of 247 junior scholars.
General appearance.—140 good, 100 fair, 7 delicate.
Previous illness.—223 had had measles, 150 whooping cough, 61 scarlet fever, 16 diphtheria,
20 bronchitis, 8 pneumonia, 2 pleurisy, 4 croup, 2 tuberculous peritonitis, 2 jaundice, 1 rheumatic
fever, 1 convulsions.