View report page

248
FINDINGS AT ROUTINE MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
Uncleanliness.
For uncleanliness surveys the health visitors made 514 visits
to schools. At the primary inspections they found vermin in 314
and nits alone in 2,326 children. On these inspections, 3.9 per
cent. of the children showed evidence of infestation as against
3.6 in 1933 and 4.0 in 1932. In connection with these findings
it must be stated that as children in unsatisfactory families are
subject to repeated examinations, they naturally raise the total
percentage found unclean.
Certain schools have persistently unsatisfactory records;
though it is pleasing to note that some which used to give high
uncleanliness figures showed a pronounced improvement.
Clothing and Footgear.
At routine medical inspections 99.1 per cent. of the boys and
98.5 per cent. girls were clothed and shod properly. Close
scrutiny has been exerted by the medical inspectors and the findings
are satisfactory.
Nutrition.
In the entrants 17.4 per cent. of the boys and 14.5 per cent,
of the girls were below normal nutrition for the area. In the
intermediate group 21.1 per cent. of the boys and 21.3 per cent.
of the girls were under average; in the leavers group 25.5 per
cent. of boys and 17.8 per cent. girls, giving in the whole school
groups examined 20.9 per cent. boys and 17.4 per cent. girls.
The figures are higher than in 1933. These figures appear
to point to the effects of prolonged unemployment among the
parents. The findings should be taken in conjujnction with the
more elaborate analysis contained in Table III.
The subject of child nutrition is a complex one and is
dependent on many and diverse factors. Efficient mother-care is
the dominant influence. This means a sensible realisation of the
child as a growing, active being, who, although needing protection,
will not benefit by coddling, and whose thoughts should be
directed towards health and not ill-health.
Malnutrition may be due to improper food, although the total
amount taken is adequate. Proteins and fats are expensive, carbohydrates
relatively cheap. In times of financial stringency the
cheapest foods are bought, and thus children obtain an undue