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Early in 1953 it was decided that the numbers had dropped sufficiently to make it
possible to consider whether the existing scheme could be effectively supplemented to
secure an even more rapid decline in the incidence of uncleanliness. By approaching
the problem within the family as a whole, more radical work might be possible.
Accordingly it was decided that if a pupil was found by the school health visitor to be
' verminous' the advice card would be delivered at the home by the family health
visitor, and that no statutory notice would be issued by the Education Officer unless
the health visitor requested such action. If the health visitor suspected that adults in the
home were verminous, and were the source of the trouble in the school pupil, then, if
necessary, she would consult the borough sanitary inspector. From the family health
visitors' records it is possible, for the first time, to measure the size of this problem in
terms of families, and 5,225 different families were involved during 1954. It must be
remembered, however, that this figure includes cases of accidental infestation from school
contacts, and a better measure of the ' hard core ' of uncleanliness in London is probably
the 1,123 cases that required compulsory cleansing.
Re-inspection and 'follow-up '
The ' follow-up ' of children referred by the school doctors for observation or treatment,
which is an essential part of the school health service, is carried out by the children's
care organisation. Each child referred is re-inspected by the school doctor a few months
after medical inspection, to allow time for treatment to be carried out, and further
re-inspections are made, if necessary, to ensure that as far as possible every child gets
adequate treatment.
During the year 172,040 medical re-inspections were carried out, 64,909 in respect
of pupils noted as' nutrition ' cases (see page 97) and 107,131 in respect of other defects.
Choice of employment
At the general medical inspections of pupils about to leave school, note is made by the
school doctors of any physical condition in the pupil which would indicate against a
particular type of employment, and this information is passed on to the Youth Employment
Service.
Pupils advised against particular forms of employment formed 15-5 per cent, of
both sexes examined. Eye strain and normal vision again headed the list of contraindications
for both sexes. Next came normal colour vision (for boys only), heavy
manual work, exposure to bad weather, and prolonged standing or quick movement.