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80
It is matter for gratification that a decrease in verminous
conditions as noted in the district during the past year, has resulted
from in the main:—
(a) Regular systematic surveys of all schools and the exclusion
of infested children.
(b) The establishment during the year of an efficient cleansing
and disinfesting station.
(c) The progressive application of the cleansing scheme to
every school.
(d) Steady development of educational methods and the pressure
of public opinion.
(e) Legal proceedings as a last resort in dealing with recalcitrant
parents or guardians.
Two obstacles, however, still obstruct the path to more rapid
coping with this difficulty—the housing problem and, excepting
in the Spccial School, the lack of bathing facilities at school.
Printed instructions are in all cases sent to parents or guardians of
children excluded as result of verminous conditions. Where the
person and clothing is verminous, cleansing and disinfecting is
undertaken at the Cleansing Station, 38 cases during the year
being so dealt with. Nits and head vermin require as a general
rule to be dealt with by parents at home.
SKIN DISEASES.—Three cases of scabies and nine cases
of impetigo and nine cases of other skin disease were discovered
at routine inspection and dealt with at the School Clinic. The
necessity of a Cleansing and Disinfecting Station for the efficient
treatment of scabies apart from verminous conditions cannot be
overestimated.
CLOTHING.—Children with dirty clothing numbered 47. or
2.11 per cent., compared with 155, or 5.06 per cent. in 1923.
Children with defective footgear numbered 19, or 0.85 per cent
The question of defective footgear was, as in previous years,
met by the Boots Minor Sub-Committee, who received and considered
applications for the provision of boots in necessitous cases.
During the year 159 cases were so supplied.