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39
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 procedure
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 a registered letter.
There are 10 Council centres for cleansing, 20 Borough Council centres, and 9
centres organised by voluntary committees; but, as the last named are limited to head
cleansings, these are not equipped with sterilisers or baths.
The following particulars for 1934 and 1935 are in respect of the cleansing
scheme operated from the Council's and Borough Councils' centres (as distinct from
the " head " cleansing centres):— 1934 1935
Number of advice cards issued to parents 80,260 80,682
Number of children attending voluntarily at bathing centres after
advice cards 40,079 41,603
Number of statutory notices served in accordance with section 87
of the Education Act, 1921 22,302 20,513
Number attending bathing centres after statutory notices—
(а) voluntarily 4,749 4,565
(b) Compulsorily 14,016 14,661
Number of cases in which police court proceedings were taken 465 321
At the head cleansing centres 24,390 cases attended during the year compared
with 23,171 in 1934.
The figures in the above tabular statement are obtained from records kept on a
terminal basis at each of the centres, and, as is the case with the rota inspection figures,
a child may be recorded more than once in the same year. The individual record
cards at the centres show that in 1935 a total of 75,023 children attended the bathing
and head cleansing centres. Not all these children were, however, referred under
various stages of cleansing schemes, but a certain number attended voluntarily
before their departure for the residential schools, country holidays, etc., or at the
request of parents, teachers and others.
Children taken for compulsory cleansing are either accompanied to the centre
by the school nurse or, in the case of outlying schools, are taken by ambulances.
In 1935, 11,891 children were conveyed in the ambulances.
Children suffering from scabies and impetigo are treated at the bathing
centres. The total of such cases was 6,435 for the year, a considerable increase on
the number for the previous year (5,545).
Co-operation with the medical officers of the City of London and the metropolitan
boroughs in remedying verminous conditions in the homes of children has been
continued.
Scabies.
The continued high incidence of scabies which shows no sign of abatement
gives cause for concern. The difficulties in dealing with this scourge are great.
While school children can be, and are, inspected, the disease which is very contagious
affects older and younger members of the family who cannot be inspected; and,
although they are offered facilities for treatment by the local sanitary authority,
there is no means other than persuasion of ascertaining their condition or of bringing
pressure upon them to take advantage of the facilities. The school children, who
have been treated, return to homes where other members of the family are untreated
and reinfection is frequent.
The co-operation of the sanitary departments of the Borough Councils in respect
of simultaneous disinfection of homes is gratefully acknowledged.
Warm baths.
A scheme by which children attend certain public baths of the Borough Councils
for warm baths has existed for several years. Parties are formed with the consent
of the parents and are accompanied by the school nurse, who excludes any suffering
from contagious disease.
The number of children attending for warm baths during school hours in 1935
was 32,007, compared with 31,742 in 1934.