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CHAPTER II.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER (Dr. F. N. KAY MENZIES)
FOR THE YEAR 1926.
Staff.
The staff engaged in the work of the 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 (whole time) 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,
24 Assistant Medical Officers (full time), 14, Assistant Medical Officers (part time,
each for six sessions a week on yearly engagements), 34 Assistant Medical Officers
(part time, each for 3 sessions a week on yearly engagements), and part time
temporary Medical Assistants on special authorities giving 112 sessions a week.
There are in addition one Principal Assistant Medical Officer (part time) for
secondary schools and four Consulting Medical Officers (part time) for aural,
ophthalmic, orthopaedic and dental matters.
The school nursing service includes one Superintendent of School Nurses, six
Divisional Superintendents and 328 Nurses.
It is with deep regret that I record the deaths of Dr. Helen B. Hanson, Assistant
Medical Officer, and Mr. C. E. Wallis, Consulting Dental Surgeon, both of whom
had been associated with the school medical service almost from its beginnings.
School Buildings.
Under the “40 and 48” scheme, the Council pursues a steady policy, not only
of provision of places by means of new schools and enlargements, but also of
modernisation of old schools, and by these means the sanitary condition of provided
schools is steadily being improved. It is anticipated that in the three years’ period
1925-1928, there will have been completed 23 new schools and enlargements providing
12,000 places and 18 of the older schools will have been modernised. In addition
to the above, a sum of £36,000 is included in the programme in respect of minor
structural improvements in schools not at present to be dealt with under the “40
and 48” scheme.
During 1926, 83 complaints or questions in regard to the sanitary conditions
of schools were dealt with in the public health department. Of these 13 were
questions relating to the provision of a medical room in schools, 27 complaints arose
in connection with special investigations into outbreaks of infectious diseases at or
in the neighbourhood of schools, and the remainder in regard to, natural lighting (6),
artificial lighting (2), ventilation (6), presence of vermin (6), sanitary conveniences (6),
drinking water (2), desking (1), heating (10), and nuisance from adjoining premises (4).
Special attention was paid during the year to the schools which are mechanically
ventilated and to the use of dustless oils on the floors of ordinary schools.
A group of schools bunt between 1898 and 1902 was equipped with the “plenum”
system, whereby air is forced into the schools by means of large fans. The air is
screened, moistened, heated, and distributed to the halls and classrooms by ducts.
The plenum
system of
ventilating
and heating.
*At the reorganisation of the public health department on the 25th January, 1927, the Council
resolved that as from the 1st April, 1927, this position be regarded as that of a Senior Medical Officer
having control of the whole of the work, both clinical and administrative, relating to infectious disease.