View report page

10
The summary of these results shows therefore a very marked improvement in
the condition of the leaving child, due largely to the intensive efforts of the teachers,
care committee workers, doctors and nurses, during the last two years at school to
fit their charges for the battle of life. That these efforts are proving increasingly
successful is shown by the fact that the condition of the leaving children this year
was also markedly better in every respect than the leavers of last year, and the
latter, than those of the year before. The sole respect in which the condition was
less satisfactory than in the 12-year group, was in the increase of spinal curvatures
and other deformities, such as flat foot in the elder girls contrasted with an improvement
in the boys. Great care is required in the case of girls from 12 to 16, who are
growing rapidly, to correct faulty postures and give periods of recumbent rest.
Girls are growing faster than boys at this age and should not be expected to vie
with the latter in phvsical endurance.
Special
inspections.
While the routine inspections comprise all children in certain age groups whether
well or ailing, children specially examined are those who are brought before the
doctor because members of care committees, teachers, school nurses or attendance
officers are specially concerned about their health. These inspections are very
valuable because they enable the more serious conditions to be detected at an early
stage. Thus, amongst the 36,803 children especially examined, 774 cases of scabies
were found, while among the 216,853 children in the age groups only 84 were found.
Pulmonary tuberculosis definite or suspected was found in 160 children in the smaller
special group, while only 65 children in the routine age groups were found similarly
affected.
Again epilepsy was found in 213 children in the special group as against 48 in
the combined routine age groups, and chorea in 402 compared with 185.
It thus comes about that serious departures from health are found much more
often as a result of bringing the child especially to the notice of the doctor, than as a
result of routine inspection. The children no longer wait until their age group
routine examination is reached, and illnesses are detected and treated at an early
stage.
Conclusions.
In 1930 it may be claimed that the physical state and comfort of the children of
London are better than ever before as judged on the broad primary conditions of
nutrition and personal hygiene. Although minor conditions of departure from
health are rife, the major manifestations of disease are becoming more and more
rare. The stringency of the times is not allowed even to a slight degree to affect the
children prejudicially, but on the contrary, the condition of the children's health
steadily improves.
General.
Medical Inspections in Higher Education Institutions.
All pupils in the secondary schools and trade schools are examined in detail at
the ages of 12 and 15 years, while the record of each pupil is reviewed at other ages
and a medical examination carried out if this is considered advisable. Including
examinations in training colleges 13,470 pupils were examined in 1930, an increase
over the previous year resulting from the inclusion of certain aided institutions where
previously no routine medical inspections had been carried out.
In comparison with the children in the elementary schools, as might be expected,
the secondary school pupils show superiority, although the disparity yearly grows
less. In three instances, gross uncleanliness of person was found, one in a boy
specially examined and two in girls of the fifteen-year-old group.
Among 12-year-old boys, 76.5 per cent, were returned with sound teeth, but in
those at 15 years the proportion fell to 71.1 per cent. Among 12-year-old girls,
79.5 per cent, were returned with sound teeth, but at 15 years the proportion was
76.7 per cent.
Dental
condition.
Among 12-year-old boys, 69.7 per cent, were able to pass the vision test, but at
15 years the proportion had fallen to 67.6 per cent., although those wearing spectacles
rose from 14 per cent, to 16.3 per cent. Among 12-year-old girls the proportion
passing the vision test was 66.1 per cent, but at 15 this had fallen to 64.4 per cent.