View report page

138
Apart from the increased numbers at the Woodward Clinic and at the
Orthopaedic Clinic, I wish to call your attention to the fact that immunisation
treatment now includes whooping cough.
On pages 171 to 174 will be found a report by the Council's Consulting Ophthalmic
Surgeon, Mr. W. A. Gray, upon the work carried out during the year at the
ophthalmic clinics.
Details of the work carried out at the dental clinics during the year will be
found in the report of the Senior Dental Officer, Mr. WT. H. Foy, on pages 169
and 170.
(a) Malnutrition.—Cases of malnutrition are found at routine examinations
and are referred for special inspection at the school clinics or followed up by
school nurses, and parents are advised as to the suitable methods of treatment.
Free meals and milk are provided in necessitous cases and cod-liver oil and malt,
etc., are also provided free in necessitous cases and are sold at the clinics at cost
price.
(b) Uncleanliness.—Special attention is given by the school nurses to cases
of uncleanliness. Full printed instructions are sent to parents as to the method of
destroying vermin and nits, and special nit combs are available at the clinics on
deposit of a small charge, which is returnable.
I have already said in past Reports that the condition is preventable and would
again emphasise that other than trivial absence from school for such a condition is
quite unnecessary with the facilities you provide.
(c) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.—The treatment of minor
ailments and diseases of the skin is undertaken at the school clinics. Details of
the treatment carried out during the year 1937 are given in the statistical tables
on pages 183 and 192.
Last year I drew your attention to the overcrowding at the Woodward
Clinic. This year I do so again and emphasise the fact that whereas 4,640 children
were treated in 1936, 5,283 were treated in 1937, whilst the number at the Central
Clinic has but slightly changed.
In all there were over forty-one thousand attendances at the minor ailments
clinics during the year.
Some of this congestion may be relieved by your policy to maintain a
temporary minor ailments clinic at the Porters Avenue (Methodist Chapel) Centre,
which in effect may later become a permanent clinic.