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81
As mentioned in my last report, only quite a superficial
inspection is possible in some of the schools, as there is no spare
room in which the necessary privacy and freedom from noise can be
secured for a more thorough examination of the children.
During 1909, the ophthalmic surgeon inspected the schools
and dealt with any children suffering from defective vision on the
same lines as in previous years. As these visits were made
independently of the ordinary routine medical inspections, and for
the most part did not include the same groups of children, it has
not been possible to tabulate the results on the medical inspection
schedules. This omission will, however, be made good in future
years.
ASSISTANCE TO THE SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER AND HIS
ASSISTANT.
The work of the Health Visitors is set out in detail in Table
E. IX.
The teachers have continued to render willing and valuable
assistance in the work of medical inspection, and I have once more
to acknowledge the ready help rendered by the superintendent
attendance officer (Mr. Jones) and his staff. Thanks to constant
consultations between the attendance officers and the public
health staff, it has been possible to carry on the work of the
department without friction and with increasing efficiency.
ATTENDANCE OF PARENTS OR GUARDIANS.
This has been secured as heretofore by written notices despatched
by head teachers prior to the medical inspections. The parents or
guardians of children inspected were present in 1,564 instances, out
of 4,360 children inspected, or 36 per cent. This proportion is one
per cent, higher than in 1908. In the infants' schools 1,309 parents or
guardians were present at the inspection of 2,945 children, or 44
per cent. This number compares favourably with 38 per cent,
present in 1908. Many parents also attended at subsequent inspections
to confer with the Medical Officer.