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percentage again improved to 72.8. In 1919 it was raised to 74, in 1920 to 75.8.
In 1921 the methods of dealing with the evil were fundamentally altered owing to
the discovery of new methods of treatment. During the period of change there
was a slight set back this year and the figure fell back to 73.2 per cent. Once the
new methods were working smoothly, however, very definite and encouraging
progress was recorded, in 1922 the percentage rose to 77'5, in 1923 to 80.5 and in
the present year to 82.5. The great improvement in the personal hygiene of the
children makes it possible for better work to be done in the schools, improves the
health of the children and leads to an added sense of personal respect the value of
which cannot be overestimated. The standard of cleanliness expected in London
is very high and rigorous, for a single nit found in a girl's head removes her from
the class of clean children. But the cases classed as unsatisfactory, in addition
to being far less numerous, are also much less severe than formerly.
Whereas in 1913, 21 per cent. of the girls in elementary schools in London
were found to be infested with body vermin, in 1924 only 0.1 per cent. were recorded,
that is while 2,880 girls were found with body vermin in 1913 only 84 were found
in 1924 out of 63.176 examined.
Dental
decay
Although conditions have greatly improved as a result of dental inspection
in the schools and the establishment of treatment centres by the Council, there
still remains a very serious amount of dental decay. In 1924, 37.9 per cent. of the
children were returned by the school doctors as suffering from obvious dental
decay; in 1923, the proportion was 39.6 per cent. (the school dentist examining
the teeth with mirror and probe, of course, finds higher percentages). There was
no improvement in the condition of the teeth of entrant infants. As compared
with 1923, the improvement in 1924 was found in the intermediate age group;
the proportion whose teeth were passed as satisfactory being 58 per cent. as compared
with 54 per cent. in 1923. The percentage with dental decay noted in the
leaver group is only slightly better this year than last. The improvement in the
eight-year old group must be ascribed to the institution since the War, of further
facilities for treatment and increase in the number of school dentists. The new
centres deal in their first years mainly with children aged 6 to 8, and the very
definite improvement in the condition of the teeth of the children aged 8 recorded
this year will be followed in due time by still further improvement in that of leaver
children, which now stands at 18 per cent. better than in 1913.
Tonsils and
adenoids.
During the year 8,944 children were referred for treatment for enlarged tonsils
and adenoid vegetations of the throat. This was an increase over 1923 of 1.83 per
cent. The increase in the number referred for operation put a considerable strain
upon the treatment centres. The majority of cases are not referred for treatment,
as all the slighter cases in which no complication has set in are noted for observation
only. The total cases found increased by 2.12 per cent., so that it seems that the
increase in the number referred for operation is not to be explained by an alteration
in standard but to an actual increase in the number of cases found, and may be
explained by climatic conditions and increased incidence of catarrhal conditions
and of infectious diseases generally. The likelihood of the latter hypothesis is
strengthened by the fact that the increased incidence falls much the most heavily
upon the youngest children. It will be remembered that in the latter part of 1923
and in the early months of 1924, there was an exceptionally heavy prevalence of
measles which cannot fail to have left an unusual amount of catarrh amongst the
younger school children.
Ear diseases.
Otorrhœa (or running ears) was found in 2,554 children or 1.32 per cent. This
is identical with the percentage found in 1923; considering the increase in unhealthy
throat conditions, which are usually associated with ear discharge, it is a
matter for congratulation that no increase in the number suffering from the latter
condition was found.