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Adenoid growths and enlarged tonsils are distinctly less prevalent, so are external eye disease,
and ear disease. There is, therefore, a diminished incidence in what are termed minor ailments. There
is no diminution on the other hand in cardiac trouble or deformities other than rickets, and the girls
approaching 14 show a further increase in the amount of deformity (2.9 per cent, as compared with 2.4
per cent, in the twelve year old group).
The consideration of the results of these entrance examinations seems therefore to clinch and
emphasise the conclusion derived from the analysis of the results of the routine age group examinations
in the elementary schools.
Examinations
in da;
continuation
schools.
All the day continuation schools have been visited by the school doctors at regular times, lhe
work has chiefly been that of keeping under review young persons who were marked for observation
for defects and tendencies which might lead to disease later on, and that of re-inspecting those who had
previously been found to suffer from ailments requiring treatment. 1,869 male and 1,655 female
students were specially examined, including many upon whom the principals of the schools wished to
have the opinion of the doctor. A number of these students suffered from ailments requiring attention,
but being picked cases the figures have no general applicability and are, therefore, not here discussed.
The care committees have followed up the cases and in many instances the employers of the children
who were in work have been communicated with.
Medical
inspection of
students in
secondary
schools, etc.
The regular inspection of students in institutions for higher education has been continued.
A new schedule has been introduced modelled upon that advised by the Board of Education in its circular.
10,833 students were inspected during the year. The governors of a number of aided secondary schools
have applied for the extension to them of the Council's facilities and this has in every case been granted.
All pupils in secondary schools have been inspected according to the schedule at the ages of 12
and 15, while in preceding, intervening and subsequent years, a full inspection has only been made in
special instances. 1,900 boys and 2,119 girls were fully examined in secondary schools at the ages of
12 and 15. In regard to nutrition, clothing and personal hygiene a marked superiority over the children
generally in elementary schools was shown. 49 boys (2.6 per cent.) and 73 girls (3.5 per cent.) were
found in a state of unsatisfactory personal cleanliness ; pediculi were noted in 3 cases, all girls.
Condition of
the teeth.
75 per cent, of boys in secondary schools and 73.3 per cent, of girls are found to have sound teeth ;
their teeth are in a much better condition, therefore, than those of children leaving the elementary
schools, where 63'8 per cent, of boys and 60'3 per cent, of girls were found with sound teeth. This does
not necessarily connote a greater primary incidence of caries upon elementary school children, as the
results reflect rather the amount of dental care and treatment obtained in each case.
Nose and
throat.
Ailments of the nose and throat were found in per cent, ot the boys and 5'8 per cent, ot girls
as against 8'4 per cent of elementary school boys and 9 2 per cent, of elementary school girls. The
superiority in this respect is, therefore, marked, but in both cases girls suffer more from catarrhal conditions
than boys, and thus again the question of outdoor sports and, pastimes and open air life
is raised.
Vision.
73.5 per cent, of boys and 69.1 per cent, of girls were found to have normal vision as compared
with 60.4 per cent, of elementary school boys and 56.2 per cent, of girls. Here again while the secondary
school pupils have a very considerable advantage, the constant superiority of boys in regard to vision
is still distinguishable. The number of pupils wearing spectacles was for the first time carefully recorded
and once more those who require artificial aid for vision are found to be more numerous amongst
girls, the percentages being 12.8 for boys and 15.2 for girls.
External eye disease is, as might be expected, very much less prevalent in the secondary schools,
only 0.75 per cent, of the pupils being recorded with blepharitis, corneal scars, etc., in comparison with
double that percentage in the elementary school children of approximately the same age.
Ear disease
and hearing.
Ear disease also is less common and is identical in amount with external eye disease in both sets
of pupils. The secondary school girls were, however, found to have an excess of hardness of hearing,
no less than 3 per cent, being so recorded as against 0'5 per cent, of boys.
Heart and
circulation.
2.9 per cent, of the boys suffered from heart defects and 3.2 per cent, from anaemia. In the case
of girls the percentages were much higher, 5 per cent, were marked with circulatory troubles and 7.8
per cent, were marked with anaemia. This seems a high proportion as it is much above the elementary
school numbers. There is no doubt, however, that home work and preparation for examinations tell
very hardly upon many girls who are found in a neurotic condition and in a depressed state of health.
In one girls' secondary school the medical officer reports that there is school until 12.30 on Saturdays
and then home work in seven subjects which takes 3 A to 4 hours to prepare.
Deformities.
lhe girls at secondary schools are rapidly growing and are particularly liable to detects of growth
connected with adolescence. These conditions are much affected by over pressure and mental strain.
The number of girls who are placed under observation for defects of growth is much higher than it
should be. No less than 16'7 per cant, were noted with postural deformities of the spine, including
round shoulders, stooping, as well as slight degrees of lateral curvature. 7.1 per cent also were noted
with flat feet. The percentage of similar deforniities amongst boys is so much less as to be almost
negligible.
It is obvious from these figures that the danger of interference with healthy growth that secondary
education entails, requires very careful oversight of the pupils from a medical point of view.
Distribution
of the work of
inspecting
doctors.
An analysis has been made of the time spent by school doctors in one division in the various
spheres of work during the course of a term with the following result:—Medical inspection
(Elementary schools), 58.4 per cent, of time; medical inspection (Secondary schools), 2.6 per cent. ;
work at Special schools, 8.5 per cent. ; re-inspections, 15.4 per cent. ; infectious disease enquiries, 8.9
per cent.; miscellaneous (cleansing stations, remedial exercise classes, open air classes, etc.), 5.6
per cent.