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regard to them now before the Legislature, details of the medical inspections at the
class during 1929 are given here:—
Seventeen children (6 entrants; 5, age 8; 1, age 12; and 5 leavers) were
examined in detail (no special cases). There was very little difference between these
children and those in elementary schools as regards the condition of clothing, nutrition,
cleanliness and dental condition, except that 2 girls were noted to have dirty
heads; 5 children were found to require dental treatment. Other defects noted
for treatment were enlarged tonsils or adenoids—2 cases; otorrhcea—2 cases;
minor epilepsy—1 case, and 1 child with lung trouble was noted to be kept under
observation. The numbers of course are too small to form a true basis of comparison,
but apart from the cases of otorrhcea there does not appear to be any higher
incidence of disease or defect among these children than among ordinary elementary
school children. In fact the proportion requiring treatment is less than in elementary
schools.
The school nurse paid 9 visits during the year and made 183 individual examinations.
Verminous conditions were reported in 17 instances, and in 59 examinations
nits were found. A large proportion of the uncleanliness refers to a small number
of children found to be dirty repeatedly.
The health of
the Jewish
child.
Previous reports have referred to the effect upon the Jewish child of the special
education at the Jewish evening schools (Talmud Torahs). The Jewish Health
Organisation of Great Britain has taken up the question with great energy.
In the annual report of the Organisation for the year 1928-29 are set out the
efforts made by its officers and helpers not only in research but also in practical steps
to ameliorate the conditions of the Jewish child. The interesting pioneer establishment
of a Child Guidance Clinic by the Organisation is dealt with in another section
of this report.
In regard to school supervision the Organisation reports, "It is futile to speak
of the effects of environment on the character, outlook and loyalty of the child when
school conditions are not up to the minimum standard of sanitation. Bu the
constant improvement in the general schools inevitably invites comparison with
the drab and squalid surroundings associated with Jewish learning and the contrast
is damaging to the Jewish consciousness of the child."
Dr. H. Fisher was appointed by the Council of the Organisation to inspect the
children of the Talmud Torahs and his report which follows was forwarded to me
by the Organisation.
"It is essential to remember in dealing with the Talmud Torah Schools that
they are voluntary religious institutions, lacking finance, and run in the majority
of cases, as I am informed, at a pecuniary loss. This report deals with ten schools
visited by me from February 21st to July 18th, 1929.
With one exception the classes are conducted in premises which have not been
specially built as schools, and naturally the hygenic conditions cannot be the same
as in a properly constructed school. One Talmud Torah was once condemned by
the L.C.C. but was subsequently allowed to continue. Considering the circumstances,
therefore, I think that the respective school committees deserve every praise for
being able to maintain even the present conditions, although, of course, these leave
much room for improvement.
One school is going to be rebuilt and two schools are having fairly extensive
alterations.
The general cleanliness of the schools is satisfactory in 5 schools, good in 3
schools and poor in 2 schools.
The amount of ventilation in them depends on the degree the windows are kept
open. Open windows in certain districts permit too much noise from outside, and
the windows are probably often kept shut for this reason as well as on account of