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97
and associated with this were found many cases of enlarged cervical
glands probably due to the septic condition of the mouth.
It is difficult to suggest a remedy. It is well known that
children should be trained to use a tooth brush, but this is a matter
for home attention, which is difficult to secure owing to the poverty
of the homes in which the children attending these schools live.
The advantages of fresh air are seen on examining the scholars
of East Acton and Willesden Junction, the majority of whom
maintain a high standard of physical health.
Ear discharge
Treatment here is difficult, as the children have often suffered
for many years from the complaint, and it is hard to convince parents
that the disease is not a necessary accompaniment of " teething " or
bronchitis.
Where there is much discharge, the mothers are given directions
as to syringing, but in many cases the advice is not systematically
carried out. The services of a School Nurse would be most helpful as
the Health Visitors are unable to superintend treatment of these cases
Pediculosis.
Children in a badly verminous condition are excluded from
school and cards of notification are sent by the Head Teacher to the
Education Offices. The Health Visitor is notified and visits at the
home, giving directions for treatment and endeavouring to get the
children's hair cut where this is necessary.
Owing to the industrial character of the district, there is often
much difficulty in finding the mothers of the children at home, as
those who work in the laundries are engaged on all days except
Saturday and Monday. This is apt to render the work disheartening
as improvement is only obtained by repeated visits, often rendered
ineffective by the absence of the parents.
In all cases effort is made to render the time of exclusion from
school as short as possible.
Ringworm.
The methods of dealing with this disease are very unsatisfactory
and no other complaint leads to such prolonged absence from school,