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52
inspection and the other sen-ices connected with the School Medical
Service. The Committee is aware of the excellent service which
Dr. Farquharson has on several occasions performed for the Committee
and the smooth working of the School Medical Service
in the difficult circumstances of Dr. Scruby's absence, has been
largely due to the manner in which Dr. Farquharson has done the
work. She was able to gain the confidence of the parents, and was
universally liked by the children. In a report of this character
it is not permissible to speak of professional work (which of course
is beyond reproach), but it speaks volumes for her tact, that in no
single instance has any complaint of any kind reached the Committee
or anyone else. The work has throughout the year, been done
without any friction and her relationship with all her colleagues
in the Education and Public Health departments has been most
cordial and friendly.
Dr. Farquharson has been responsible for the inspections
usually carried out by Dr. Scruby, viz.: all the Entrants, the Intermediates,
and the Girl Leavers. These are not all the inspections
carried out by Dr. Farquharson, but these inspections affect the
figures in the Board of Education Tables at the end of the report.
The Committee also were unfortunate to lose the services
of Mr. Pugh, the Dental Surgeon, who left Acton in August to serve
in a similar capacity with the Worcester County Council. Mr.
Pugh came here in September 1928, from Dewsbury and was the
first whole-time Surgeon, and naturally there was a good deal of
organisation and planning to be done. Formerly the dental work
had been done by part-time officers, and though excellent service
had been given, and much pioneer work had been done by these
officers, certain difficulties had to be encountered when a wholetime
dentist was appointed. Mr. Pugh overcame these difficulties
and soon established himself in the respect and regard of both parents
and pupils. He rendered excellent service also to the mothers
and children in connection with our child welfare scheme, and the
addresses which he gave in the course of the inspection of the
toddlers during the school vacations were very much appreciated.
We deeply regret the loss of Mr. Pugh, but that does not detract
from the sincerity of our welcome to Mr. Slater, who was appointed
Dental Surgeon in the summer and commenced duties on September
1st. Mr. Pugh was responsible for roughly two thirds of the work
of the year, and Mr. Slater for one third, but Mr. Slater has kindly
reported upon the dental work of the whole year.
The following Table gives the accommodation, the average
monthly number on the register, and the average attendance, in
the different schools.