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The average attendance of scholars in the Elementary Schools
throughout the year was 90 per cent., a small improvement on
1929, although measles was very prevalent in certain schools
during the first half of the year, and the number of individual
children excluded for various reasons greater. On the whole,
however, the year was a satisfactory one from the aspect of the
general level of the children's health.
Routine Medical Inspection of the usual groups was proceeded
with as in former years. The number of children showing
a greater or lesser degree of uncleanliness rose slightly, but unfortunately
the figures are kept up by members of certain families
who, year after year, contribute to the unsatisfactory findings, and
who, although there are exceptions, do not improve in spite of
constant supervision and admonition. New tables have been
introduced when dealing with the important, but difficult subject
of child nutrition. Relatively slight illnesses and periods of
malnutrition exact a lasting effect on the growing skeleton
demonstrable by suitable X-Ray examinations. Owing to the
lack of definite standards precise comparisons are not possible;
but on a broad basis, children from the poorer families are on a
lower level than those more fortunately circumstanced. The
scheme, inaugurated by the National Milk Publicity Council,
whereby a child may obtain a third of a pint of milk in sealed
bottles for a penny, at the school, has now spread to practically
all the schools. Nearly 9,000 bottles of milk were supplied.
When the proved beneficial influence of wholesome milk on child
growth is considered, the increased consumption must have had
some effect on the nutrition of those who partook of it. New
tables have also been introduced in the section dealing with
vision. These were compiled with a view to ascertain if there was
an excessive amount of defective eyesight in any particular
schools. The results so far have not shown any localised undue
incidence, though, as a group. Secondary School children have
poorer sight than Elementary School children.
The chief causes necessitating the exclusion of children from
school on medical grounds, were the common infectious diseases,
and of these measles and mumps were the worst offenders.
Impetigo, and verminous conditions also caused trouble.
Impetigo is a common disease of childhood, and although not as
a rule bringing about serious bodily ill-health, is sometimes slow
to cure and thereby necessitates a considerable degree of
absenteeism. Verminous conditions are essentially a reflection of
mothercraft and home care, and the relative importance they
assume is unfortunate. As mentioned above they relate to a comparatively
small group of families.