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otherwise. The 147 failed children were referred back to
the School Medical Officers who, after further examination
and treatment where necessary, referred 40 children back for
a final audiometric test. Of this number, 23 passed and 17
failed. Further treatment was instituted for the latter childrein
either at the School Clinics or at the Ear, Nose and
Throat Department of the West Hill Hospital, Dartford, or
other hospital in the metropolis.
It has been our experience that the regular use of the
Pure Tone Audiometer is a great help in the health supervision
of the children and has now become a regular part of
the work carried out by the School Health Service.
Cleanliness Inspections.
(See Table II).
A feature of the health of schoolchildren in the Borough
for many years has been the exceptionally low rate of infestation
of schoolchildren with vermin. This is now being recognised
by a substantial reduction in the number of school inspections
by Health Visitors for this purpose. Cleanliness inspections
are now carried out in secondary schools only when
they are requested by head teachers. In primary schools
regular cleanliness inspections have been discontinued where,
at three consecutive inspections, no cases of uncleanliness
have been found but further inspections are made if
requested by the head teacher or it appears that special circumstances
warrant an intensification of this work.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
I am indebted to the Physical Education Advisers, Mr.
J. M. Pell and Miss J. Hulton, for the following report:—
During the year 1956, physical education in the Borough
schools has, on the whole, continued the steady progress
made in recent years towards higher standards, both
in the actual work done and in the physical development
of the children.
In the Primary schools, most of which are now quite
well supplied with climbing apparatus of either the fixed or
portable variety, the majority of teachers are developing a
greater understanding of the modern approach to physical
education and this should result in a wider range and quality
of movement training in the future.
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