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tees again agreed to suspend operations for the removal
of tonsils and adenoids and although opinions differ as
to the stage at which this precaution should be taken, it
is generally felt that it is better to err on the side of
safety even though this may mean some dislocation of
the hospitals' admission lists.
There were no serious epidemics during the year and
the health of the school children has, on the whole, been
satisfactory. It is generally agreed that the standards
of clothing and cleanliness among the children is very
high in the Borough and there is a great deal of evidence
that maternal care as well as the high level of employment
are responsible for this. It is appropriate, also,
to point to the low incidence of skin infections among
the children, although some difficulty has been experienced
in regard to plantar warts. This has not assumed
serious proportions, however, owing to the co-operation
of Head Teachers and others concerned in giving suitable
attention to foot cleanliness and the careful supervision
and disinfection of plimsolls used in physical training
classes.
Attention is drawn to the report of Mr Hulbert, the
Orthopaedic Surgeon, on page 53, in which he states
that the principal obstacle to the relief of the very large
waiting lists is due to lack of accommodation at the
Station Road Clinic, and that steps should be taken to
find larger premises where the size of classes for exercises
could be increased.
During the year, Dr. R. Bruce Killoh has given
several series of lectures on medical biology, including
anatomy and physiology, personal environmental and sex
hygiene, to senior pupils of the Bexleyheath County
Modern Boys School. These lectures are important and
it is, largely, due to limitations of staffing and time that
we are not able to do more in regard to health education
in schools. It is, however, an ideal which must be constantly
borne in mind.
Once again, during the year it was possible to admit
a large number of children to convalescent homes and
open air schools and for these valuable facilities I
acknowledge with thanks the help which we received
from the Education Department.
One result, not altogether beneficial either from the
point of view of child health or the National Exchequer,
of the increased interest taken by the public in matters
of health, is the exaggerated importance placed by the
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