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is no selection beyond that of drafting to special schools. Yet in the secondary schools
there are more cases of postural defects such as curvature of the spine, again showing
the effect of more intensive study, and in these cases also the incidence is higher at
the age of 15 than at the age of 12.
The re-inspection of 3,106 pupils in higher education institutions was carried out;
1,698 defects had been satisfactorily treated, 168 were under treatment, 832 had
had treatment but needed further treatment, and in 887 cases, no treatment had been
obtained.
Re-
inspection.
The following-up of defects discovered at secondary schools is left to the head
masters and mistresses. When the parent is not present, a letter recommending
treatment is sent, generally in the name of the head master or mistress. The
parents normally respond readily.
Scholarship children attending secondary and trade schools are given the same
facilities for medical treatment under the Council's arrangements as children in
elementary schools.
For fee-paying pupils at secondary schools who have been inspected by the
Council's medical officers or doctors appointed by the governors, arrangements are
made when necessary for medical treatment to be received under the Council's
scheme provided that (i) the parents cannot afford to make private arrangements
and (ii) navment is made therefor.
Of the 878 students examined in training colleges, none was found to be suffering
from extensive dental caries; 82.1 per cent, of the men and 77.7 of the women
passed the vision test, but 38.8 per cent, of the men and 26.0 of the women
were wearing glasses.
Training
colleges.
The teaching of hygiene.
The school medical staff is not directly identified with the work of teaching
hygiene. In all elementary schools, however, formal teaching of hygiene takes a
place in the syllabus.
A considerable amount of informal help is given by the doctors and nurses.
Applications for addresses by the medical staff to parents and children are numerous
and are always met. No additional staff, however, has been allowed for this,
and if applications were to increase to a great extent it would be impossible to
accede to the requests with the present staff.
The work of the school nursing service is very largely devoted to the practical
inculcation of good habits of personal hygiene. As eighty per cent, of parents attend
the medical inspection of their children at some stage during school life, the school
doctors exercise a potent influence through their individual advice, and though the
effect of this is incalculable it is probable that there is no greater influence for health
at work in the population generally.
At dental inspection a little homily is generally given by the dental inspector
to the parents as a group on the importance of dental care.
The scheme organised by the education officer for dental demonstrations in the
schools by officers of the dental board is now a permanent feature of hygiene
teaching in the London schools, and reports are received which show that these
demonstrations awake great interest and are of much value. In many of the
boroughs the medical officer of health takes great interest in the work of education
in health. " Health week " is commonly associated with a mass attack, in which
the school children are provided for by special addresses and demonstrations.
The treatment centres are capable of becoming in truth health centres, and
parents visiting them learn much in regard to the general care of their children.
The Downham treatment centre proclaims itself as a health centre, and sets an
example in this respect by organising public lectures including cinematograph
displays.
Red Cross "links" have been established in many schools particularly in the
south-western division. These are intimately associated with the work of the
school nurses, and give great assistance in creating enthusiasm and a " public
opinion " amongst the school children in regard to cleanliness and hygienic living.