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6
The results of medical inspection in 1932.
The number of elementary school children examined in the three statutory
age groups (entrants, children aged 8 and children aged 12) during the year 1932
was 180,905. In addition, 39,120 children were examined in detail in the term prior
to that in which they were due to leave school, and 1,870 children in special schools
were examined on reaching their respective age groups.
Children referred for examination by nurses, school teachers, care committee
workers, divisional officers, etc., for special reasons, numbered 95,855; and 58,870
were examined in connection with outbreaks of infectious disease.
The total inspections amounted to 376,620, which represents a considerable
increase in every department on the numbers in the previous year, namely 336,444.
To this must be added the children, 163,491 in number, who were re-inspected because
of some previously noted defect. The school doctors thus see each year a very large
proportion of the children attending school.
Parents are invited to be present at all routine inspections, and attended in
68-5 per cent, of the examinations in the three statutory age groups. At the inspection
of entrants, the proportion was 89 per cent., and in the "leaver" group 40 per
cent. The presence of the parents at inspections is very important, as it brings them
into touch with the school doctor and care committee workers, whereby they are
led to realise the importance of obtaining any necessary treatment without delay.
The rebellion of elder boys against being tied to their mothers' apron strings is shown
by the fact that the percentage of mothers present at the inspection of elder boys
is only 33.2 per cent.
Refusals. Refusals of parents to submit children for medical inspection are so few in
number as to be almost negligible. During the year 1932, the parents of 113children
(50 boys, 63 girls), compared with 76 in 1931, refused to allow them to be examined
by one of the Council's assistant medical officers. Fifteen objections were subsequently
withdrawn, and in 15 instances either medical record cards were endorsed by a
private medical practitioner or medical certificates as to physical fitness were
produced. The cases were distributed amongst the divisions as follows: N., 7 ;
N.E., 12; N.W., 24; S.E., 31; S.W., 39.
Requests for During the year 1932, other authorities asked for the medical record cards of
cards 517 children who had removed to areas outside London. In 297 cases cards were
obtained and forwarded, 108 could not be traced, 9 had not previously been examined
and 35 concerned children who were not attending schools in the County of London.
In the remaining 68 cases inquiries are still being made.
The number of children subjected to routine inspection who were referred for
treatment was 93,024, 42.5 per cent. of the number examined. This figure includes
cases noted by the school doctors for dental treatment, and, if these cases be excluded,
the percentage is reduced to 17.5, compared with 18.9 in the previous year.
The analysis of the results of medical inspection set out in the paragraphs immediately
following is limited to the three statutory age groups, in order to facilitate
comparison with previous years. The results of the examination of the "leaver"
group are dealt with separately.
Nutrition. There has been much speculation and enquiry during the year as to the
nutritional state of the school children, as it appeared to many that the large amount
of unemployment and reduction in family incomes might have adversely affected
them.
Both general and special enquiries made during the year showed that no noticeable
change has taken place in the condition of the children, and that in London
there has certainly not been any perceptible decline in the children's nutrition.
Special interest, of course, is attached to the figures of medical inspections, and it
is necessary to study them with care. The children are classified by the school
doctors as (1) excellent, (2) normal, (3) subnormal, (4) definitely ill-nourished.