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138
The question arises whether in these unofficial or semi-official contests out of
school the need for care in this respect has been sufficiently in the minds of the
organisers.
The case of a girl of 13 who died in a swimming race at a west London school gala
in the autumn led to this question being carefully considered. A questionnaire was
sent to the school doctors asking for their experience in regard to the participation
of girls in athletic sports.
In their replies specific instances were reported in which there was evidence of
heart strain or dilatation, as the result of engaging in athletic contests, particularly
swimming. Healthy games and recreations are a necessity for school children, and
the community owes a debt of gratitude to those teachers who expend so much of
their time in encouraging and organising opportunities for sports. It is to be
hoped that nothing here said will tend to damage the ardour and enthusiasm
which is voluntarily expended. But it is felt that careful consideration should be
given to the selection of children to take part, and that tasks set should be
adjusted to the capacities of the children according to age and sex in the cases
where the competitive element enters between child and child and school and school.
As a result of their attention being drawn to the question the Executive of the
London Schools' Swimming Association have drawn up the following rules as safeguards,
and if adopted generally these should reduce danger to the minimum in the
case of swimming contests:—
(1) That the attention of children be drawn to the grave danger incurred
in partaking of any food either solid or liquid immediately before a competition.
(2) That before entering a child for competition the medical card be
consulted. If there is any suggestion of heart trouble there should be further
medical examination.
(3) That arrangements be made for a doctor to be present at all swimming
competitions, a fee being paid if necessary.
(4) That an addition be made to the entry form for the annual competitions
by which teachers entering children guarantee that they are able to swim the
distance for which they are entered.
(5) That no child be allowed to compete in more than one ind vidual
swimming championship.
(6) That the bath for the annual competition be not more than 33½ yards
long.
School Meals.
The number of school dinners provided from January to December, 1925, was
653,395, the number of milk meals was 1,236,466, and the number of cod liver oil
"meals" 179,363.
Milk or oil meals in school are always given on the advice of the school doctor,
who keeps the children under observation. They are weighed regularly by the school
nurses. The feeding centres where dinners are supplied to necessitous children
are visited regularly by the school doctors who satisfy themselves as to the palatableness
and suitability of the meals; at the same time samples are taken of the meals,
which are analysed in the chemical laboratory in order that the nutritional value
of the meals can be scientifically estimated.
Supervision
of dietaries.
The systematic examination of samples of milk supplied to necessitous and other
children has been continued during the year. The total number of samples analysed
was 1,500. Of this number 176 (11.7 per cent.) were found to be "unsatisfactory":
111 (7.4 percent.) containing added water and 65 (4.3 per cent.) showing a deficiency
of fat. The maximum addition of water in any one sample was 27 per cent., whilst
the greatest abstraction of fat was 59 per cent. Appropriate action was taken in
all cases.