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All the ordinary inspections took place on the school premises
and notice was sent to the parents as to when the inspection would
take place, inviting them to be present. In most instances before
commencing the inspection an address was delivered by the Medical
Officer. The heights and weights were taken by the teachers, and a
rough test for vision was also applied by them . . . ."
Cases of defective sight:
6/18 and over = 110
6/12 = 88
Total - 198
Glasses obtained in 46 cases.
These figures cannot be considered satisfactory. It is importanl
to note that in many districts the certifying factory surgeons are
preventing children who need them from engaging in factory work
until they obtain spectacles. This should be an answe," to the plea
that the wearing of spectacles diminishes a child's chance of employment.
As an auxiliary to the regular Medical Inspection, children are
relerred by teachers or attendance officers, or are brought by their
friends to the Medical Officer at the Public Offices for examination
by him, and during 1910, 771 cases were so dealt with, including:—
Ringworm (suspected) 96 Diphtheria (suspected) 60
Spinal curvature 2 (actual) 6
Club foot 2 Sores 87
MEDICAL CARE
" Treatment of Defects
.... Is undertaken by Public Health Department in cases of
ringworm, contagious skin disease, sores, etc., conditions which are
likely to communicate disease to others .... we constantly find
that sores that have been treated by friends for weeks and months can
be cured in a fortnight or less by simple treatment applied by the
nurse.
The advice given in the reports of the Medical Officer.... has
been followed, that authorities before taking upon themselves the
treatment of ordinary defects should endeavour to use the existing
arrangements available for this purpose, as there is a theory that
adequate medical advice is available for everyone, either by payment
from charities, or the Poor Law. With the existence of all these
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