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(2) EVACUATION -GOVERNMENT.
(a) Medical Arrangements. Due, no doubt to
the immunity from air attacks which was experienced
for the greater part of the year, the number of children
evacuated in 1941 diminished considerably from those
sent to Reception Areas in 1940. In 1940 out of a total
of 2,378 examined 87.6 per cent (2,083) were found to be
without defect, the remainder requiring treatment before
being sent to the Reception Areas. During the year
ended 31st December, 1941, the number examined fell to
370, 80 per cent of which number were passed as fit and
without defect, as shown in the following tablet-
Number examined and passed
fit without defect. 296
Number requiring special consideration
and treatment before evacuation. 58
Number declared unfit - for various
reasons. 16
370
(b) School Medical Inspection. The question
arose early in 1941 respecting the seconding of School
Medical Inspectors for duty in the Reception Area; the
Evacuating Authority becoming liable for salary whilst
the Receiving Authority bore the expenses of travel. The
matter was settled, however, in April 1941, by the
appointment of additional Medical Officers in the Reception
Area, whose salaries and expenses are to be apportioned
according to the Davidson Report.
(3) HYGIENE.
It is again satisfactory to record that in
spite of rationing, the increased cost of living and the
growing difficulty in obtaining certain vital food stuffs,
the general health of our Barking school-children does not
appear to have deteriorated during the year 1941.
A hot mid-day meal has been served in all the
schools at a very moderate price and in certain cases free,
since February 1941. This has, no doubt, assisted
considerably with the problem of nutrition.
The shelter problem still existed although in a
gradually relaxing manner, until May, but again scabies was
and still remains the only major difficulty to which this
problem has contributed.
In spite of the early persistent raids there was
no undue sign of nervous strain in the school population as
will be seen from the following. In January 1941 the
Government brought in a Compulsory Evacuation Scheme under
which children who were suffering (a) in mind or body as a
result of hostile attacks, or (b) in such a state of health
as to be likely to suffer if they remained in the area,
should be examined and if necessary, evacuated for the
benefit of their health. These children were to be brought
forward from school medical inspections, teachers, school
nurses and others. Three school-children were examined
under this Scheme but none were found suffering in health
to such an extent that they were compulsorily evacuated.
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