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whom one might have thought of as borderline for admission to a blind school, or
return to an ordinary school, was instead being retained in the special school.
Dr. Huss observed that the heads of the schools appeared to have been consulted
regularly about children, a practice which he considered an essential point in
arriving at a decision in some cases when one was in doubt as to what was best for
the child as regards the visual defect only. He felt that due weight should be given to
the educational aspect.
The policy in London to admit a young child to a partially-sighted school
rather than to a school for the blind was, in Dr. Huss's opinion, the correct one.
It was, he considered, often difficult or impossible for the ophthalmic surgeon to
ascertain the magnitude of the visual defect from which a young child might be
suffering. It was only as the child grew older, and as it learned by attendance at
the special school for partially sighted, that an accurate assessment of the extent of
the visual defect first became possible, and then it was so often found that placement
in a partially sighted school had been the correct procedure.
Dr. Huss added that H.M.I. Mr. Lumsden had examined many children newly
admitted to the schools, and many who were near the blind borderline, and had found
no reason to disagree with the classification as partially sighted from the educational
aspect.
It seemed to Dr. Huss that ascertainment of children with visual defects of such
a degree that they required special educational treatment in partially sighted schools
was accurate and probably complete in London, and that the children in these
special schools were correctly placed. He also commented on the incidence of children
who have been ascertained to be partially sighted, which for London is 0.83 per
thousand children on the school register.
Residential schools
There were seven residential schools with accommodation for about 2,800
children committed to the care of the Council under the Children Acts.
A visiting medical officer attended each school and was available for emergency
calls. He examined all children on entry, before discharge and at such other times as
are prescribed by the Council. Arrangements were made for the dental treatment
of the children resident in the schools. At each school there were at least two resident
school nurses. Periodical visits were made by senior medical and nursing officers
from the County Hall.
There were also nine residential nursery schools outside London with accommodation
for 437 children from two years of age upwards. In addition to a local
visiting doctor, the schools were medically supervised by officers of the local maternity
and child welfare authority, and a medical officer from County Hall visited
each term.
There were two reception homes providing accommodation for 80 children,
four approved schools with a total accommodation of 482 and 2 remand homes with
accommodation for 145 children. Each of these establishments had the services
of a visiting medical officer and periodical visits were made by medical staff from
County Hall.
Infectious diseases in schools
The number of infectious cases reported from the day schools during the year
is shown in Table 14, page 149.