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In about eight per cent, of the children, their condition called for close scrutiny
at the re-inspection, but, in several, there were intercurrent causes for the conditions
found, not directly connected with the employment. In five children (three per
cent.) no other reason than the employment was found to account for deterioration.
It was noted that constant and prolonged employment, even though the actual
daily appearances on the stage were short, were more harmful than short terms of
employment which necessitated longer hours. In robust children a short period
of about five weeks appears to produce no ill-effect, and even the contrary, but in
children who are not robust this is too great a strain.
Examination of candidates for the education service and scholars
The total number of examinations in 1937 was 12,044, compared with 12,252
in 1936 and 10,547 in 1935. During 1937, 9,436 entrants to the education service,
and candidates for teaching awards, scholarships, and local special places, presented
themselves for examination ; of these, 48 had been referred from 1936. The following
table indicates the numbers of candidates and the results of the examinations :—

t The causes of rejection were mainly defects of vision, unsatisfactory general health and
morbid conditions of the heart.
In addition to the examinations referred to above, 254 scholars were examined
(98 males, 156 females) with a view to determining their fitness to continue to hold
awards, and of these 12 (8 males, 4 females) were found to be unfit.
Re-examinations totalling 2,354 were made of entrants, scholars, etc., who
were referred at the first examination for treatment for one or more remediable
defects.
Cases
specially
referred
There were also referred to the public health department 3,416 special cases in
which medical advice was required. This figure includes 2,828 teachers (638 men,
2,190 women) and 588 schoolkeepers, cleaners, etc. (112 men, 476 women).
In regard to recommendations governing sick leave to teachers, 2,035 or 71-92
per cent, were in respect of teachers over 40 years of age.
Teachers of
physical
education
During the year, 297 applicants for admission to the Council's course of physical
education were examined. Of these, 29 were deemed to be either temporarily or
permanently unfit to undergo the training on the following grounds : poor general
condition, 3 ; varicose veins, 6 ; injury, 1 ; heart condition, 10 ; renal calculi, 1 ;
diseases of bones and joints, 7 ; myopia, 1.
Medical
inspection
of scholarship
holders
During the year, 931 scholars were medically inspected at County Hall, comprising
275 girls and 656 boys. Re-inspection of scholars referred for treatment was
carried out in respect of 55 girls and 60 boys.