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although the latter, does not, because of this, escape the
unfortunate label which is applied to him.
As in previous years, considerable care was given to the
ascertainment and treatment of the various categories of
handicapped children who are to be found in any large
school community. The special needs of these children call
for the closest link between the School Health Service, the
family doctor and the consultant hospital services and the
Education Service, and it is a pleasure to record the excellent
teamwork which obtains between these agencies. The care
of spastic children has been facilitated by the opening of
the Valence School for Physically Handicapped Children and
the provision of home tuition does much for the spastic
child who, either through lack of mobility, or intelligence,
cannot be admitted to a special school. During the year,
the mothers of some of these children and the Health Visitors
co-operated in taking a number of these children to the
Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia, which entailed a high
degree or organisation and demonstrates the extraordinary
zest for life possessed by so many of these children.
There were no serious outbreaks of infectious disease
during the year but the incidence of measles and chickenpox
was responsible for a considerable loss of school time among
the schoolchildren. The place of schools in the spread of
measles is referred to in the foreword to the annual report
on page 5.
It is a matter for regret that lack of time makes it
impossible to pursue a more active policy of health education
in the schools, although as much as possible is done by
visiting doctors and school nurses and in fact, by the teachers
themselves. During the year, systematic lectures on child
care and mothercraft were given to the older girls, who were
due to leave school, and there is, no doubt, an even wider
scope for increase in this kind of activity.
Once again, I have to record the excellent team work
of all members of the staff on which the success of the
School Health Service so largely depends and, finally, I wish
to express my appreciation of the help and encouragement
which I have received during the year from the Chairman
and Members of the Committee, from the County Medical
Officer and his staff and from Miss Smith, the Senior Clerk,
and all members of the School Health Department whose
help and industry during the year have been a very valuable
asset.
I am, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
John Landon,
Medical Officer of Health
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