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Scabies. The incidence of scabies increased
gradually during the year and by October numbers became
so significant that it was felt some firm move must be
made to limit the spread of this comolaint. Discussions
were held on the possibility of opening cleansing centres
so as to treat persons infested, and a letter was sent
to the Ministry of Health suggesting that the disease
should be made notifiable. The Minis try, however, did
not feel that this would be an appropriate method of
dealing with the problem.
In November the Scabies Order 1941 was issued.
This empowered the Medical Officer of Health or his
representative to inspect persons and premises where they
had reason to believe that cases of scabies might be present,
and if necessary to treat or cleanse such persons and any
infested articles on these premises. As a result further
more elaborate plans were made to open cleansing centres
at an early date and the aid of the personnel at First-Aid
Posts was enlisted to assist in staffing these centres.
None of the stations were opened before the end of the year.

(9) NUTRITION.
As I pointed out last year the assessment of
nutrition must of necessity vary with the opinions and the
standards of the examining Medical Officers, and yet even
making allowance for this variation it appears that the
general nutrition of our school children is not suffering
from war conditions. In all age-groups the children whose
nutrition is assessed as excellent have increased and the
total percentage of those assessed as sub-normal or bad
has slightly decreased.
No doubt the provision of a mid-day meal in all
schools (mentioned earlier) has been largely instrumental
in bringing about this satisfactory result. The population
as a whole have probably also been rendered food-conscious
and they have made special efforts to counteract the evil
effects of certain food deficiencies by substituting
adequate equivalents. So far it appears that their efforts
are being well rewarded.
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