View report page

35
The new arrangements are on the following lines (i) each child attends twice
weekly for periods of 50 minutes each; (ii) each group of children is limited to 9; and
(iii) 3 groups are dealt with by the same instructor on each half day.
Dr. E. J. Boome and the assistants employed upon this work consider that this
change has been justified, and they have asked that it should be continued.
It is debatable whether whole-time treatment is better than the part-time system,
but Dr. Boome considers that excellent results accrue where the children attend but
twice weekly. The child's normal school routine is hardly interfered with, and he
is not made to feel that he is different from his fellows. Moreover, where reorganisation
of the nervous system is in progress it is found that greater advance
is made in the intervals than during actual practice, and stimulation is far more effective
if intermittent rather than constant. Travelling to and from these centres by
tram or omnibus is considered by Dr. Boome sometimes to be a help in restoring
self-confidence. Disappointment is frequently felt at the slow progress of many
children, but on this point Dr. Boome states " In London we get a class in which
there appears over a period to be no progress, but, after a while, the whole class
seems to make a big effort and the final results well repay the time and trouble taken.
I never give up hope with a stammerer, even if the parents do not co-operate. I
have seen cases, after two or three years' disappointing progress, suddenly pick up
and be completely cured. Of course, we get our social workers to obtain reports
on the homes, and if necessary invite the parents to the centre in order to persuade
them to help."
Personal hygiene scheme.
The number of examinations made by school nurses at rota visits during 1931
was 1,971,363, and verminous conditions were found in 210,113 cases, or 10.6 per cent.,
compared with 12.1 per cent, of cases examined in 1930.
This marks a very definite improvement in personal hygiene, and corresponds
with the findings of the doctors at medical inspections recorded earlier in this report.

Of the 210,113 cases in which verminous conditions were noted, 120,580 (57.3
per cent.) were found to have nits only.
The continued rise during the past six years in the number of cases of scabies
treated at the cleansing centres is somewhat perplexing, and is only partially accounted
for by increased examinations by the nurses in connection with smallpox. An
additional factor is the reference of cases from general hospitals, where the Council's
facilities are becoming more widely known.
The bases of the Council's cleansing scheme are emphasis upon the parents'
primary responsibility, followed by compulsion where necessary as provided by
section 87 of the Education Act, 1921. In the earlier stages of the scheme parents
are advised of the trouble, and invited to avail themselves of the facilities provided
by the Council. It is only after a child has been seen by at least two different nurses
that a statutory notice is issued to the parents. These notices are served through
the attendance branch of the education officer's department, and are either handed
to the parents in person or forwarded by means of registered letter.
A higher standard is required before a child is classified as "clean." Even if
only afflicted with "nits," a child is classed as verminous, and the condition brought
to the notice of the parents. The later advice cards definitely set out the methods
d 2