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165
Analysis of
cases referred
for examination.

The neurosis figures are disproportionate owing to the Councils regulation
which requires that all teachers sending in certificates indicating nervous affection
of any sort shall be referred to the School Medical Officer immediately. The 171
cases of functional nervous disorders include many long absences, some extending
to 12 months, and, taken altogether, they show that this is a very important cause
of ill-health among teachers. Both prevention and treatment are on a less satisfactory
basis than is the case with purely physical disorders. The causes are often
obscure and complicated and are frequently not recognised by the patient herself.
It can be safely said, as a result of a survey of this series, that the severity of the
breakdown is in inverse ratio to the gravity of the alleged cause. Where there
has been a really severe shock, such as loss of relatives, or serious overwork, the
teachers (excepting one or two of the elderly cases) were back at work in a month or
less, however tragic had been the disaster. Where the supposed cause was vague
or trivial, and the real difficulty was an unresolved mental conflict or temperamental
weakness, the illness is apt to be prolonged and recurrent, and may lead to
permanent incapacity.
It is found that there is often an unfortunate tendency to rely too exclusively
on rest and change of scene in the treatment of neurotics, and to ask for prolonged
leave without attempting to ascertain the real cause of strain. Not a few cases
of long standing neurosis in this series have been cleared up by suggesting a visit
to the dentist, to a laryngologist, or even to the family solicitor, or by dispersing an
unfounded and hitherto unconfessed dread of cancer or insanity. The recovery of
a patient is often further prejudiced by a tendency to attach too much importance
to trivial incidents in the school, to the neglect of much more significant factors in
familv and home life.
Physical
sducation cf
beachers.
All applicants for admission to the Council's course of physical instruction for
teachers were examined. During the year, of the 302 candidates examined, 25
were rejected.
Accidents
and sudden
illness at
County Hall
The arrangements made in 1922, whereby medical aid and advice could be given
in the event of cases of accident or sudden illness at the County Hall were continued
in 1925, and aid was rendered and advice given in 250 cases. Generally the cases
were of a minor character, and of the 46 cases of injury, only one was serious. Some
of the cases were detained in the rest room, the average period of detention being
about 45 minutes.