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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-ordination
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
National 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.
Nominal registers from which this table is obtained are being
transferred and compiled after another system, so that it is not
unlikely that several exceptional children have 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 or residential.
Among 21 of the former, 8 children, and among 15 of the
latter, 5 children, it will be noticed, attend special schools.