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Diphtheria Immunisation, Treatment of Minor Ailments, X-ray Treatment of Ringworm,
and Ultra-violet Light Treatment.—No charge is made for these forms of treatment.
Milk in School.—One-third of a pint of milk is supplied daily to children attending
school on payment of one penny per day. Where the Medical Officer considers milk
is desirable on medical grounds no charge is made in necessitous cases.
Ophthalmic Service.-—Eye testing and the prescription of glasses is carried out free
of charge in all cases. Lenses, mounted in white metal ("Clinic") frames, complete
with case, are supplied at a maximum charge of 2s. 1d., irrespective of the cost to the
Authority, or free of charge in certain necessitous cases. Where the parent selects
other than "Clinic" frames, the actual cost price is charged.
Repairs to "Clinic" spectacles are carried out at cost (maximum charge 2s. 1d.),
or free of charge in certain necessitous cases. Repairs to other than "Clinic" spectacles
are charged at cost price.
Arrangements are made with the Optician for the acceptance of the vouchers of the
Hospital Savings Association towards the cost of spectacles.
Orthopadic Treatment.—No charge is made for treatment at the Authority's
Orthopaedic Clinic. Surgical Instruments are supplied at cost price, or at reduced
cost or free of charge in certain necessitous cases.
Necessitous cases are admitted to Orthopaedic Hospitals free of charge ; other
cases are dealt with on their merits. No charge is made for an X-ray examination or
for a clinical photograph. Arrangements are made whereby the vouchers of the Hospital
Savings Association are accepted towards the cost of surgical instruments and hospital
treatment.
Tonsils and Adenoids.—A nominal fee of 5s. is charged in respect of an operation
for the removal of tonsils and/or adenoids. In certain necessitous cases the treatment
is provided free of charge. A voucher of the Hospital Savings Association is accepted
in lieu of the fee of 5s.
(18) HEALTH EDUCATION.
I am asked by the Board of Education to give an account of the relation of the
School Medical Service to any health teaching specially designed for the school children
of the area, and I am to report that although we have been unable to do anything on the
lines we would wish, this matter has not been lost sight of.
With the extensions that are going on as the result of the increase in the population
of Barking, it has been difficult enough to keep up with the ordinary work, but we hope
that when we have a stable population, we will undertake work in this important
direction.
My own personal opinion is that a "health bias" in the school curriculum is more
important than a course of hygiene, and that health and habits can be inculcated quite
apart from lessons on physiology and kindred sciences.