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20
Medical inspection
During the year a total number of 308,959 children were examined by the school doctors
inspecting in the schools, and of this number 109,659 were found to require treatment for one or more
defects. A parent was present in 56.4 per cent, of the cases examined. Dr. C. J. Thomas has examined
the detailed returns and comments upon the improved prosperity in the homes of the poor as indicated
by the standard of clothing, nutrition, and cleanliness revealed by the inspection of children in the
schools. The condition of the teeth of leavers shows marked improvement, although with regard to
entrants a worse condition in this respect is shown as compared with previous years. In accordance
with the wishes of the chief medical officer of the Board of Education, special inquiry has been made
into the prevalence and distribution of enlarged tonsils and adenoid growths. It is matter for congratulation
that these two classes of defect continue to decline, mainly as the result of early treatment.
Having regard to the increased pressure of work only a few special reports have been made, and
in the following pages reference is made to the reports received.
Medical and dental treatment
A slight increase has been made in the numberof sessions for refraction worked during the year, and
thus it happens that, although provision was made for only 22,700 eye cases, the actual numbers treated
were 25.216. The increase has been necessary owing in part to the demand for the treatment of soldiers
made upon the general and special hospitals in London. Ear, nose, and throat cases show a further decline
in the numbers treated, 11,159 as against 12,961 in 1914. The attendances for nursing treatment
(20,419) were most satisfactory, and for the first time exceeded the agreed numbers (19,520) ; the agreed
numbers for the year 1916-17 have been increased at several of the existing centres. It may be noted
that 44,875 dental cases were treated, an increase of nearly 39 per cent, on the figures for 1914, the
available provision being utilised almost to its full extent.
Following up
The following-up work has been continued throughout the year on the lines set out in previous
reports, though the activities of many voluntary workers have been diverted by the war. It is very
gratifying, however, to find that the attendance at inspections and re-inspections did not materially fall
off, and speaking generally, there was very little loss in efficiency, having regard to the wholly exceptional
circumstances.
Re-inspection
During the year 78,308 children were seen at first re-inspections, while 4,394 children due for
first re-inspection had removed and could not be traced. 37,663 children were seen at second re-inspection
visits. 48.2 per cent, of the children seen at first re-inspection and 27.8 per cent, of those accounted
for at second re-inspections were discharged as cured or as not being amenable to treatment. Thus
24 per cent, of children marked for re-inspection had failed to obtain treatment.
Tramway facilities for children attending school treatment centres,
In the last annual report brief reference was made to the facilities offered by the Council to children
and parents travelling to and from the school treatment centres and hospitals in the Council's treatment
scheme, permitting them to travel any distance in a single tramcar for one half-penny for each person,
During the period November, 1914, to August, 1915, more than 16,000 cheap tram-tickets were thus sold,
and it is evident that the arrangement has achieved its purpose.
Examination of candidates
The number of candidates for permanent appointments in the school service and candidates for
scholarship awards who were medically examined decreased from 6,015 to 5,750. The pupils in
attendance at the Council's institutions for higher education, and the London County Council's scholars
in attendance at aided secondary schools, have also been inspected,
Open-air schools
The open-air schools at Birley House and Shooter's-hill were both kept open throughout the
year. The Kensal House school for tuberculous children has been continued, and some of the playground
classes were, as in the past, held in the public parks,
Special scchools,
In all 5,777 children were examined with a view to admission to special schools ; of these 3,645
were certified as suitable for admission, and the remainder were either returned to the elementary
schools or found to be unsuitable for any of the Council's institutions. The results of the periodical
re-examination of the children in the schools for the mentally and physically defective and the specific
defects of the children in attendance at the latter schools, are shown in the report.
Infectionus disease
Account is given on pages 14-18 of the prevalence if infectious disease in the schools during
the year. In connection with scarlet fever reference is made to the relation between the curves of fleaprevalence
and scarlet fever, and in connection with diphtheria the complete record of a persistent carrier
of diphtheria bacilli is given. Measles was exceptionally prevalent in the earlier part of the year and in
November the disease was made notifiable by an Order of the Local Government Board.
Personal hygiene scheme
The Council's cleansin g schemes have been in operation throughout the year. There are now
24 stations, and at 20 treatment has been extended by the inclusion of scabies. 1,006,546 children
were examined, of whom 28,063 were found to be verminous, 14,677 children were cleansed by the parents,
and 13,386 cleansings were carried out by the Council and borough councils. 1,059 children suffering
from scabies were given a total of 6,342 baths. Proposals have been carried out for bringing within
the scope of the scheme verminous children, attending schools in outlying districts, by the use of two
ambulances which chanced to available. In some instances, moreover, borough councils are now giving
special facilities for hot baths to be obtained by school children and members of their families.
Medical inspection.
Number of children inspected
In spite of the formidable difficulties of the times, the work of school medical inspection was
maintained at a high level of efficiency. A detailed statement of the results is given in the tables in the
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appendices. 258,386 children were inspected in the age groups as compared with 228,414 during 1914,
and 97,264 advice cards were issued in regard to defects as compared with 90,154. In addition 47,806
elementary school children were submitted for special or urgent examination, and 2,767 children in
special schools were submitted for the age group inspection.