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77
REPORT ON SCHOOL MEDICAL WORK.
This is the twelfth annual report of such work in Croydon and
the eighth furnished in accordance with the requirements of the Board
of Education.
The report on this occasion is considerably curtailed, both on the
score of economy, and on account of the great reduction of the staff of
the department making an exhaustive report impossible.
THE STAFF AND GENERAL ORGANISATION OF THE
WORK.
As in previous years, the school medical work has formed part of
the general public health work of the Borough.
A considerable number of changes—permanent and temporary—
occurred inthe medical staff. Dr. Kennedy went on military service
early in the year. His place was filled at first by two local men—
Drs. E. Hulse Willock and J. Howard- who did part-time work for
some months. In June Dr. Olive B. Falk was appointed to this
vacancy for the war period. The part-time officers ceased their
duties at the end of October. In July Dr. J. Johnstone Jervis left for
another appointment, and in September Dr. H. Gordon Smith commenced
his work on the staff. Owing to the difficulty of getting
residential medical staff for the Borough Hospital, the work of the
medical members of the department had continually to be readjusted,
but the amount of school medical work done has been well
maintained.
The specialist work—ophthalmic, tuberculosis, X-ray, and dental
—has been carried on as before.
Individual paragraphs deal with the Treatment Centre, the
Spinal Remedial Class, Mental Deficiency, the work of the Health
Visitors, etc.
During the year the clerical staff gradually lessened until only one
of the original staff—a boy under military age—remained.
The geneial report is confined to a tabular summary of the work
done, excepting where explanatory paragraphs are essential.