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The mothers are urged to obtain treatment, or are given
directions as to syringing, but often the advice is not carried
out for a sufficient length of time. Since the appointment of
the School Nurse some improvement has resulted from treatment
in the schools in those cases where the presence of much
offensive ear discharge renders the patient most objectionable
both to the teachers and other scholars.
Exclusion of these children is of little service as no other
complaint leads to such prolonged absence from school.
Cleanliness.
One of the beneficial effects of school inspection is seen in
the increase of cleanliness among the children. In many
cases it is obvious that special toilets have been made in view
of the medical examination, but the teachers bear witness to
the fact that improved cleanliness is being maintained.
The following cleansing scheme has been arranged as a
campaign against pediculosis capitis.
1. During Medical Inspection the heads of all children
are examined by the S.M.O. and a list is made of those whose
heads contain lice or a large number of nits.
Cards (blue in colour) are sent in envelopes to the parents
of the respective children, warning them of the condition and
giving advice for cleansing.
2. A re-examination of the "dirty" heads is made by
the School Nurse at an interval of one to three weeks,
according to the time at which return visits can be arranged.
In the case of those still dirty, cards (red in colour) with
directions for cleansing are sent to the parents, with a warning
that children will be excluded from school until cleansed.
3. After another interval those found "dirty" on the
second occasion are again examined and if not cleansed are
excluded from school attendance.