View report page

115
13- CO-OPERATION OF TEACHERS.
Much of the success of school medical inspection is due to the
sympathetic assistance of the teachers. In all schools the greatest
personal interest is shown and valuable information made available
regarding the children. Through the tactful influence of the teachers
difficult parents are induced to obtain or accept treatment for their
defective children. Thanks are due in no small measure for the
invaluable assistance which teachers so whole-heartedly render.
14. CO-OPERATION OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
OFFICERS.
From the School Attendance Officers much useful and essential
assistance is most willingly given to the School Medical Officer and his
staff In their investigations of causes of absence, infectious diseases
which otherwise might have been overlooked are brought to the notice
of the Medical Officer. To a large extent information regarding
physically or reputed mentally defective children reaches the Medical
Officer as a result of their activities, whilst frequently the treatment of
children suffering from certain diseases, e.g., ringworm, scabies, etc., is
expedited through their influence with the parents. The closest and
most happy co-ordinat'on exists between Attendance Officers and the
members of the School Medical Staff.
15. CO-OPERATION OF VOLUNTARY BODIES.
Valuable information in regard to crippled and other defective
children has been supplied from time to time to the School Medical
Officer and Tuberculosis Officer by the Croydon Civic Service League.
This Association has also in many instances arranged for the supply of
surgical appliances and convalescent home treatment.
Close contact is maintained with the local branch of the Nationa
Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
16. BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND EPILEPTIC
CHILDREN.
Table III., Appendix A, gives a numerical and classified account
of exceptional defective children under the age of 16. The registers
from which this table has been completed have as far as possible been
revised, but at the same time it is not unlikely that several exceptional
children having escaped notice and have not been included. The
sources of ascertainment are:—
(1) School Medical Inspections.
(2) Home visitations by School Nurses, Health Visitors, School
Attendance Officers, and Maternity and Child Welfare
Health Visitors.
(3) The Tuberculosis Dispensary.
(4) Maternity and Child Welfare Centres, and
(5) The Croydon Civic Service League.
Blind and deaf children, after certification by the School Medical
Officer, are admitted to Special Schools, day 01 residential.