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88
on the milk list for preventive reasons, just as upon the dinner list. In these
cases some differences are bound to arise between the standard wished to be adopted
by the care committees and that adopted simply on the physical condition of the
children. The position was, however, safeguarded by the provision under which
children removed from the milk list are subsequently kept under observation for a
sufficient period of time.
The amount of time and care given by many head teachers in poor schools in
supervising the service of milk meals and administering the cod-liver oil meals
deserves the fullest recognition.
Supervision Milk supplied to the children has been systematically examined throughout the
of dietaries. year. The total number of samples analysed was 1,116. Of these 116 (10.4 per
cent.) were unsatisfactory, 3.5 per cent. containing added water and 6.9 per cent,
showing a deficiency of fat. The maximum addition of water in any one sample
was 20 per cent. whilst the greatest abstration of fat was 26 per cent. In connection
with the provision of meals 68 meals were examined in the Council's central laboratory
and in a number of cases attention was drawn to the need that existed for an increase
in the protein or the calorific value.
The Teaching of Hygiene.
At a conference between the school medical officer and the Council's educational
inspectorate to discuss the annual report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Board
of Education the question of the teaching of hygiene was discussed. As a result
a memorandum* was framed in consultation by the two departments and issued
to all head teachers of senior departments of public elementary schools in London
for use in connection with the work of its schools.
Personal Hygiene.
The total number of examinations made at rota visits during the year by the
district school nurses was 2,052,904; verminous conditions were present in 371,790
instances, or 18.1 per cent., as compared with 18.7 per cent., in 1922 and 20.5 per
cent in 1921.

In addition to the figures set out above the numbers of children dealt with at
the head cleansing centres during 1921, 1922 and 1923 were 13,586, 24,637 and
24,516 respectively.
* Copies may be obtained from the Public Health Department, The County Hall. S.E. 1.