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were 97,586 verminous children whose condition was brought to the notice of the
parents by advice cards. Of this number, 44,986 attended voluntarily for cleansing
but in 27,444 cases it was necessary to serve, after a further examination, statutory
notices in accordance with section 87 of the Education Act, 1921. Following the
service of these notices, 7,093 children attended the centres voluntarily, but, of the
remainder, 18,476 were found verminous and taken compulsorily by the nurses for
cleansing. Of these, 395 were subsequently found to be verminous and police court
proceedings were taken in 277 cases. The number of children conveyed by ambulances
from outlying schools was 11,102, as compared with 9,637 in 1926.
In order that conditions in the homes of children dealt with under the cleansing
scheme might be remedied, the borough medical officers have been informed of such
cases. Reports were received regarding 3,554 homes visited ; destruction or disinfection
of bedding or disinfestation of homes was carried out in 2,412 instances.
Although, in the remaining 1,142 cases, this action was not necessary, advice was
given to the parents by the health visitors. The corresponding figures for 1926
were 5,514 homes visited, action taken in 1,117 cases.
Use of public
washing
facilities.
The arrangements for providing warm baths for children during school hours
were continued during the year, parties of children being taken to public baths
under the cars of school nurses. The number of baths given was 40,371, as compared
with 31,499 in 1926.
Physical
Education.
Physical Education and Teaching of Hygiene.
In their report for the year ended July, 1926, the Organisers of Physical
Education (Mr. A. H. A. Gem and Miss Grant Clark) give an account of the physical
education activities in each branch of the education service. They refer to overshadowing
in the past of general activities by mere postural training (or drill).
Recently a progressive advance has taken place in securing a better balance of physical
activities.
The necessity for carrying out physical exercises in the open-air is being better
appreciated and a number of infants' departments are now doing this with advantage.
The Council decided to recommend all head teachers to increase the amount
of time devoted to physical education which is at present hardly sufficient, especially
in the standards.
For organised games only 44'6 per cent, of available football pitches and 20'9
per cent, of net ball pitches are utilised. This is largely because the bulk of the schools
are not sufficiently near a pitch to make it possible for them to take advantage of
the provision. On the other hand very full use is made of swimming facilities,
which are more equitably distributed throughout London, and approximately
55,000 boys and 35,000 girls attend each week in organised lessons.
The very valuable work done by the various " Associations " organised by
teachers for athletics and games outside school hours receives adequate recognition
by the organisers and this work is of such importance that their report on this section
is reproduced in full.
Games and
Swimming
out of
School hours.
"The numerous all London and district Associations, which have been so
painstakingly built up constitute a factor the importance of which it would be hard
to over-estimate. It should always be borne in mind that this valuable work if
done by a body of enthusiastic teachers who, week in, week out, from year to year
give their own time to the various athletic activities of their boys and girls. Londor
owes a debt of gratitude to these men and women for their splendid efforts. The
organisers have always endeavoured to assist and keep in close touch with this work
as it is felt that on the playing field and in the swimming bath a personal touch
can be maintained with the teachers, which is bound to re-act favourably on the
physical education of the children. It is proposed to give a rather more detailed
account of the activities of the various London Associations than is usually the
case, dealing with them in alphabetical order.