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51
As the Oslo diet was introduced to counteract the deficiency in vitamincontaining
food from which town children generally suffer, especially during the
winter in northern latitudes, it was considered of importance that the experiment
should be continued throughout one year, particularly when such encouraging results
had been obtained in the first three months, as it is during the winter that shortage
of vitamin stuffs is chiefly experienced. The experiment is, therefore, being continued
throughout the winter of 1938-9.
One of the remarkable results is the striking improvement in the complexions
of the children, and the disappearance of minor ailments, particularly of blepharitis.
The effect on blepharitis of a somewhat similar diet at the Swanley hospital school
supports the view that this disease is a manifestation of specific vitamin deficiency.
In addition to the children receiving milk in school on the school doctors'
advice, a large number of children are taking advantage of the Milk Marketing
Board's scheme through voluntary school milk clubs organised by the head teachers.
In January, 1938, it was reported that the total number of children receiving
milk in the London schools was estimated to be 374,000, about 322,000 of whom
were having one bottle, and 52,000 two bottles a dav.
Milk Marketing
Board's
scheme,
voluntary
milk clubs
The beneficial results of the milk-in-schools scheme has naturally suggested
the desirableness of making some provision for its continuance throughout the
school holidays. The Education Committee therefore arranged, with the consent
of the Board of Education, for an experimental distribution of milk in the summer
and Christmas holidays of 1937 to some of the children who were receiving milk
in school on the recommendation of the school doctors.
Distribution
of milk
during the
holidays
The result of the experiment was encouraging and it was decided to provide
milk during the holidays for all children having milk on the recommendation of
school doctors in term time, if the parents so desired. As on former occasions, all
" doctors " cases receiving milk either free, for payment or for part payment, were
given the opportunity of having milk. Children having two bottles of milk daily
for part-payment in term-time were considered to be " free cases " for the purposes
of this distribution, at which one bottle daily was given to each child attending.
The distribution was arranged during the Christmas holidays at 162 centres,
which included 159 schools in suitable positions, two central kitchens and one
dining centre. The number of distribution centres was 160 during the summer
holidavs. 1938, and 135 at Easter. 1938.

The attendances, particularly at Christmastide, were considered to be disappointing,
and efforts are to be made, by notices and talks to the parents by the
school doctors on the importance of milk to growing children, to secure better
attendances in forthcoming holidays. The experiment was, however, handicapped
owing to the Christmas holiday weather being very severe, particularly on two of
the days when there was much thawing snow.
Defective children
Examinations with a view to the admission of children to special schools
were made in 4,425 cases. The following table shows the number of children
nominated for examination and the recommendations made :—