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(d) During the last part of the year under review arrangements
were made whereby the attendances of children presenting themselves
for inspection or treatment at any of the approved Clinics in the
Borough would be reckoned for the purpose of ascertaining the
average attendance at school in accordance with the regulations of
Articles 43 and 44 of the Provisional Code of Regulations, 1919.
5 FINDINGS OF MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Table II.. Appendix A, gives a return of defects found in the
course of medical inspection, both at routine and special examinations,
in 1920. Some of the noteworthy defects so discovered are considered
more particularly below.
Uncleanliness.
Out of 6747 children examined at Routine Inspections, 43 of
0 63 per cent. were found to harbour body vermin; 38 or 0.56 per cent.
had head vermin; 613 or 9.8 per cent. were found to have the eggs or
the louse in the hair although no adult lice were seen; 38 or 0.56 per
cent. had simply dirty heads: whilst 117 or 1.7 per cent. were
described as dirty generally.
Compared with last year, the figures show an increase and the
steady improvement which has been made during previous years has
received a check. Demobilization was practically completed in 1920,
and there is little doubt that the overcrowded housing conditions
became aggravated, and so favoured the spread of vermin infestation.
The teachers have been whole-hearted in their endeavour to raise
the standard of cleanliness and have always co-operated willingly with
the School Nurses at the Uncleanliness Inspections which have been
carried out at certain selected schools.
Apart from the Routine examinations, Uncleanliness Inspections
were conducted by the School Nurses at 21 of the Council Schools.
11938 children came under review, 33 had body vermin, 419 head
vermin, and 2028, whilst having no adult lice, were found to harbour
the eggs in the hair. Slightly over one-fifth of these children gave
evidence of vermin infestation.
Cleansing Station.
Twenty-six children were cleansed on account of body vermin and
two for head vermin. Scabies still continues to be prevalent, and 47
children were treated for this condition.
Clothing.
Children with dirty clothing numbered 46 or 0 68 per cent.
Children with defective footgear numbered 70 or 10 per cent. More
children with insufficiently protected feet were observed, a condition
no doubt to be associated with the inflated cost of the necessaries of
life.