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Schick immunization has not been practised among Elementary
School children, though the protection it affords against outbreaks
of Diphtheria in institutions is increasingly recognised, as
the section in the body of the report indicates. A special report
on this matter was made to the Elementary Education Committee
during the year.
Although there was a considerable amount of sickness among
the School Nurses the number of visits they have paid in pursuance
of their duties shows a noticeable increase. One additional
nurse was appointed during the year in connection with the
Selhurst Road Clinic. As her duties in the Clinic only occupy
half the day, this nurse has also been able to work a small district.
In practically all the various Clinics large increases in attendances
are recorded, once again serving to emphasise the essential
part they play in a proper School Medical Scheme. The children
who attend these Clinics are those whose parents would in all
probability not obtain private medical attention on the grounds of
cost or who would otherwise visit the out-patient's department
of General Hospitals. The increase is most marked in the Minor
Ailments Clinic to which the attendances were more than doubled;
the Dental Clinics for reasons already given, and the Remedial
Exercises Clinic. The increase in the latter is due in some degree
to the concurrently larger numbers furnished by the Orthopædic
Clinic, from which children are referred if necessary for Remedial
Exercises.
Special reports are included on the activities of the Ionization
and Rheumatism Clinics, both of which are fulfilling a need and
doing work of much importance. Though the Rheumatism
Clinic is only concerned with the ascertainment of cases and
advice, it has been able, through the helpful co-operation of one
of the visiting physicians to the Croydon General Hospital, to
play a useful part in obtaining necessary treatment. The establishment
by the Public Health Committee of a Convalescent
Home for infants and children at Coombe Cliff, will be an additional
implement towards the prevention and the eradication of
this serious malady of childhood.
At the end of the main report there is included a supplementary
report made to the Elementary Education Sub-Committee on
the subject of Health Education in Schools. This is a matter on
which the Chief Medical Officer of the Board of Education, in