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of 1925. On pp. 99-100 the course of recent outbreaks of this disease is described, and
comment is made upon the noteworthy decline in the death-rate since 1918, a result
which is not entirely explained by the fluctuations in the birth-rate in recent years,
and is unquestionably in part due to the special measures taken to prevent spread
of measles and lessen mortality among the sufferers. In this connection the Metropolitan
Asylums Board has been able considerably to extend the provision made
for institutional treatment, owing to the lessened prevalence of scarlet fever and
diphtheria since 1920-21.
Staff.
The staff engaged in the work of the London School Medical Service includes,
in addition to the School Medical Officer, who is also the Medical Officer of
Health, one Senior Medical Officer giving his whole time to the work, one
Senior Medical Officer supervising the work of special schools in addition to the
general work of mental deficiency, one Principal Assistant Medical Officer for
infectious diseases, one Principal Assistant Medical Officer for supervision of aural
diseases with two assistant aurists part time, five Divisional Medical Officers supervising
the work in the five divisions into which London is divided for school medical
purposes, one Divisional Medical Officer dealing with infectious diseases, two divisional
Medical Officers dealing with special schools in addition to the general work
of mental deficiency, 25 Assistant Medical Officers (full time), 59 Assistant Medical
Officers (part time, each for three sessions a week on yearly engagements), and part
time temporary medical assistants on special authorities giving 111 sessions a week.
There are in addition, one Principal Assistant Medical Officer (part time) for
secondary schools, and four part time Consulting Medical Officers for aural,
ophthalmic, orthopaedic and dental matters.
School Buildings.
Under the three years' programme a sum of £282,000 was included in the estimates
for the year 1925-6 for building new schools and modernising old schools.
In addition, a sum of £36,000 was allowed in respect of minor structural improvements
such as the division and rearrangement of classrooms, provision of practical workrooms
and other improvements.
A further sum was included for modernising gas lighting, improving the heating
of schools and executing miscellaneous small works. The medical staff report upon
defects of lighting and heating, etc., which are observed by them at their visits to
the schools for medical inspection purposes and when necessary the Education
Officer is informed, in order that the proposals made shall receive consideration.
Specific complaints are also referred to the Medical Officer for investigation and
report to committee before the decision is made to include work in the year's
programme. The Medical Officer is also asked from time to time to decide upon
the urgency of proposals. All plans for new schools are considered in an early
stage at a conference at the County Hall, at which a representative of the Medical
Officer attends, and schemes for remodelling and rebuilding schools are considered
at local conferences on the site, at which the Divisional Medical Officer is present.
Medical inspection rooms are included in all new buildings and wherever possible
in all cases of remodelling.
Attention has been given during the year to school furniture, especial regard
having been paid to the furnishing of rooms for children under five years of age.
The best method of providing for sleep has been explored, and a new type of chair
has been introduced to take the place of the existing chairs with circular backs.
The new type provides for a straight back and for legs which slightly spread and
thereby increase the stability. Attention has also been paid to the methods of
cleansing of schools.