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24
including some very slight cases. The percentage is less than that for 1941 (7.9), and
compares with 7.3 per cent. in 1938. During the year, 54,300 (40,595 in 1941)
children were dealt with at the children's bathing centres; of these 25,247 (16,698
in 1941) were suffering from scabies or impetigo. There is evidence that the
incidence of scabies and allied conditions has seriously increased under war-time
conditions, though 1942 shows a reduction on the 1941 incidence.
Handicapped children
In December, 1942, about 35 special units for defective children were functioning
in London. In all, 1,957 children were examined in London or in the
reception areas as to their suitability for special education. Of, these, 505 and
474, respectively, were certified as fit for instruction at day schools for the mentally
or physically defective. Of the children attending and seen in special schools,
and at the special parties for handicapped children, 63 were sufficiently improved
to justify return to elementary school instruction, and 135 children over 14 years
of age were released from special schools as being no longer certifiable.
Training or
placing and
supervision
in employment
of
children upon
discharge
from
hospital
schools
In order to ensure that partially-sighted or physically-handicapped children
of 13½ years and over, when discharged from hospital schools, secure further training
and/or placing and supervision in employment as may be necessary, a procedure
has been put into operation at the children's special hospitals whereby the secretary
of the After Care Association for Physically Defective Children is informed of
discharges, together with medical and educational opinion regarding the abilities
of the children. A similar arrangement has operated for some years for children
attending day schools for the physically defective.

In addition, about 2,649 teas and 57 breakfasts were provided daily at the
war-time play centres.
Infectious diseases in schools
As in previous war-time years, the figures available as to the incidence of
infectious diseases are vitiated by reason of the movements of the school population,
but the usual control arrangements were made.
Immunisation
against diphtheria
The co-operation with the Metropolitan Borough Councils referred to in the last
annual report in the arrangements for carrying out in schools immunisation against
diphtheria, was continued. Thus, in nineteen boroughs, the Council's school medical
staff carried out the immunisation, while in nine boroughs this work was carried
out in the schools by the medical staff of the Borough Councils. In 1942, the number