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Wage-earning employment of school children.
During the year 1931, 3,368 applications (3,326 boys and 42 girls) were dealt
with under the by-laws for medical certificates in connection with the employment
of school children out of school hours.
The nature of the work for which certificates were granted is shown below ;
the numbers are in respect of boys, the figures for girls being given in brackets :
delivery of milk, 222 (1); delivery of newspapers, 1,963 (16); carrying or delivery
of goods or parcels, 513 (4); in or in connection with a shop, 303 (6); in a coal
yard, 3 ; industrial work at home, 3 ; house work away from home, 17 (5); as a
messenger, 70 (1); not stated, 57 (2).
Certificates in respect of two or more occupations were granted to 48 boys and
1 girl. In 150 cases the certificates were granted subject to medical treatment being
obtained, and in 164 additional cases other conditions were imposed. Certificates
were refused on medical grounds to 43 boys and 4 girls.
In regard to 6 boys, the provisional certificates were withdrawn on account
of non-compliance with the conditions under which the certificate was issued, and
the applications of 78 boys and 2 girls were not proceeded with.
The number of children examined under the regulations governing the employment
of children in entertainments was 281 (43 boys, 238 girls). One child, a girl, was
rejected on medical grounds—rheumatism. Thirty-four children, all boys, were
referred for treatment in the first instance and given certificates of fitness at a subsequent
medical examination. The conditions requiring treatment were dental decay
25, visual defect 7, aural condition 1, skin affection 1.
Medical treatment.
The arrangements made by the Council for the medical and dental treatment of
school children have proceeded upon similar lines to those of the past few years.
In the scheme for the year, provision was made for expansion where necessary, and
for the establishment of new centres in North Islington, North Kensington, Limehouse,
Streatham, and at King's College hospital; of these, two centres, one at North
Islington for the treatment of minor ailments, and the other at King's College hospital
for eye (refraction) treatment, were opened ; but, owing to inability to obtain
suitable premises, the other new centres could not be provided.
At the end of the year 1931 there were 73 centres and 17 hospitals included in
the Council's medical and dental treatment scheme. In addition the special centre
for in-patient treatment of tonsils and adenoids at Woolwich, viz., the Cyril Henry
centre, and the dental centre for the residential children at the King's Canadian
camp school, Bushy Park, were continued during the year.

It will be observed that during the year some 18,000 children in excess of the
number for which provision was made were actually treated. This was mainly on
account of the large numbers of cases dealt with in the minor ailment departments.
Such cases are mainly fortuitous, and it is quite impossible to make a close estimate
of the needs of each of the 67 minor ailments centres in the various districts of London.
School
children
employed in
entertainments.