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81
the deep want of national education has been increasingly supplied. "There must
be no impatience of results," said William James, "They are sure to float up of
their own accord from a long enough daily work at a given matter." And they are
floating up. The gleaming ideal of the pioneers is gradually being realised; there
stands revealed one of the ''truths that wake to nerish never."
The three
years'
programme.
The omens are auspicious and should encourage all those engaged in carrying
out the further advance, which is embodied in the three years' programme of the
Council's resolution of July 22nd, 1924. From 1st April, 1925, seven important
developments in connection with the school medical service were contemplated.
The examination of children leaving school was reinstituted under this programme
in the second and third terms of 1925, and thus it became possible once more to
give that assistance in the vocational guidance of the children, which is so valued
by all care committee workers; many interesting facts elicited at these medical
examinations are detailed by Dr. Thomas on p. 90. Further, on p. 118, the extension
of the treatment of teeth and of minor ailments (the second item on the programme)
is referred to. The third item, the inauguration of two new centres for the inpatient
treatment of tonsils and adenoids is being carried into effect, centres in
Hackney Wick and Peckham being now almost ready for work. The steps taken
as regards new provision for ear disease, involving the establishment of six special
ionisation centres at which Dr. Wells and his two assistants see the children, and
the new procedure, which it is proposed to inaugurate, are described on p. 119.
References to the three remaining items on the programme—further provision
for remedial exercises, further provision for open-air education and further special
medical services—are made on pp. 136 and 128.
Medical
Inspection.
During the year, 197,702 children in the three statutory age groups, and 41,011
children approaching the age of 14 years were examined by the school doctors in
London elementary schools, and 102,533 were found to require treatment. 1,652
children in the age groups in special schools were examined and 42,882 children
not in the age groups were brought forward for special examination. An additional
33,475 children were inspected in connection with school journeys, open-air classes,
etc. Further, the school medical staff examined 7,019 candidates for scholarships
or for permanent positions in the school service, and 26,054 cases in connection with
their specific defects in special schools. A detailed analysis by Dr. C. J. Thomas
of the results of inspection is given on pp. 83-91.
Medical
treatment.
The number of ailments treated under the Council's scheme was 254,000, a
marked increase upon any other previous year. The largest increase was in the
dental departments, where 112,964 children were treated as compared with 99,045
in 1924.
Re-inspections.
The number of reinspections was 159,388. The combined results of first and
second reinspections showed that 75.5 per cent. of the children found defective
had been dealt with.
Personal
hygiene.
1,937,588 examinations were made at rota visits by the school nurses. The
percentage of verminous conditions found was 16.6. The number of scabies cases
continues to decline, 2,077 being treated as compared with 2,155 in 1924.
Infectious
diseases.
The prevalence last year of encephalitis lethargica was decidedly less marked
than in 1924. On pp. 112 and 118 reference is made to the treatment, at Winchmore
Hill, of children suffering from the sequelae of encephalitis, now being
undertaken by the Metropolitan Asylums Board. Diphtheria notifications
show no diminution as compared with last year, though the deaths are definitely
less numerous than those occurring in 1924, and that year showed slight
improvement upon the mortality of 1923. The results of preventive inoculation,
which is being practised on a large scale in America, are being followed with
close attention, and the behaviour of the disease in New York City and State is
illustrated on p. 97. Measles was again becoming prevalent in London at the close