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provisionally cured, while 78, many of whom had greatly improved, left for various
reasons.
The 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 instructress on each half day.
Dr. E. J. Boome reports as follows:—
In former reports mention has been made of the use of relaxation as an essential part of the
treatment of stammerers. The importance of this has been further demonstrated during the
past year. Still further emphasis has been laid upon it, and the technique has been improved
with beneficial results. Greater stress has been laid on the value of practising relaxation at
home, and the card of instructions has been altered to meet this. The extent to which quite
young children can bring about a state of mental and physical repose is surprising.
This complete relaxation, however, depends entirely, in the earlier stages, upon the personality
and experience of the instructress.
Opportunity to acquire this experience is now given by the Council to selected candidates
who wish to pursue the method. As a result of this training, several student-assistants have
obtained posts with other local authorities.
During the past year distinguished visitors from the provinces, the dominions and several
foreign countries have been welcomed at the centres. Many of these visitors came with the
object of gaining information with a view to instituting the same method in their own areas.
An experimental meeting of parents was tried at three of the centres by Miss M. A. Richardson.
The number of mothers sufficiently interested to come to the meeting was disappointing, but
the keenness of those who did attend more than compensated for this. In each case the
instructress gave a short address, which was followed by questions and the discussion of problems
and difficulties. Several parents remained after the meeting for further advice.
One of the chief difficulties of treatment still remaining is the lack of interest—if not direct
opposition—shown by some of the parents, e.g., one mother did not attend the meeting because
she " had to wash up," and another because she " forgot " ! The care committee has rendered
valuable assistance in many of these cases, but there is no doubt that a child whose relatives
at home do not co-operate makes slower progress.
Personal hygiene scheme.
The number of examinations made by school nurses at rota visits during 1932
was 1,992,748, and verminous conditions were found in 195,534 cases, or 9.8 per cent.,
compared with 10.6 per cent. of cases examined in 1931.
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 195,534 cases in which verminous conditions were noted, 111,071 (56-8
per cent.) were found to have nits only.
The figures shown in the second, third and fourth columns are obtained from
the records made by the school nurses themselves as a result of their rota visits.
At each rota visit all the children in the school are examined. Such rota visits
are made at least once a term to each school, but to some schools, where, generally
speaking, conditions are below the normal, additional rota visits are paid each
term. It follows, therefore, that each child should have at least three inspections
in a year, and it is probable that a certain number of verminous cases are tabulated
more than once in the course of the year. This has proved a convenient method
of determining the standard of cleanliness, and has been adopted for many years.
The Board of Education have, however, expressed a desire for a return giving the