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1. The shifting nature of the school population. This
is very marked in some schools, and as a result
children suffering from ringworm come in from
other districts, and may infect others before the
condition is discovered.
2. Infection in children under school age. The
tion Authority have no power to provide treatment
for these cases, even if they are aware of them.
In the meanwhile the children may act as centres
of infection to children of school age, and some
cases of re-infection after cure have been traced
to such an untreated child at home.
All cases sent to Dr. Arthur are selected by the School Medical
Officer. The parents are interviewed, the nature of the treatment
explained, and the slight risk of difficulty with the growth of the hair
afterwards explained. If they agree their consent is obtained in
writing, and an appointment made with the radiographer. Before
returning to school each case is seen again by the School Medical
Officer. It is the custom in Acton to let the child return to school
as soon as the infected hair has fallen out. The child wears a
cap or bonnet till the new hair has grown.
Cases which do not receive X Ray treatment are visited
regularly by the nurse, to see that treatment is being obtained.
Microscopic examinations are made of all doubtful cases.
14 such examinations were made, and spores were found in 12.
Cases of ringworm of the body are treated by a nurse under the
supervision of the School Medical Officer, if they are not attending
a doctor.
Children Under Five.
A reference to the table of defects found at the medical inspection
of entrants shows that before they come under the notice
of the Education Authority they have already developed many
diseases and defects.