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250
As regards notifiable diseases there was an increase of 141 in
the cases of Scarlet Fever, and of 68 in the cases of Diphtheria. As
regards the non-notifiable infectious diseases there was a decrease of
1,330 in the number of Measles cases reported by Teachers and
others; of 217 in the cases of Whooping Cough and of 80 in the
cases of Chicken Pox, and an increase of 394 in the cases of Mumps.
Table XII. shows the incidence of these conditions in the various
schools.
The work of the school clinics has proceeded on the same lines
as in former years. The utilisation of 47, St. James Road for the
Ophthalmic Clinic and for certain Inspection Clinics has tended to
relieve some of the overcrowding which took place at Lodge Eoad.
The subsidiary clinics at Selhurst and at Duppas School and
Waldrons Hall have been fully utilised. In the near future the
Committee will have to consider the establishment of another subsidiary
clinic to serve the very rapidly growing Addington Estate
and I would suggest that, when the Elementary School for this area
is planned, that provision be made in the plans for a branch clinic.
The work done in connection with Immunisation against
Diphtheria is not included in this report, as it is concerned with
other groups of children besides those of school age. The total
number of public elementary school children who attended for
Immunisation was 1,596.
The continued help and co-operation of the Head Teachers and
of the School Enquiry Officers has been of the greatest assistance.
Without their interest much of the medical work and following up
would have been difficult of proper fulfilment.
The Voluntary School Care Committee, and also the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children have been of much value.
I am especially indebted to Mr. Brown and Mr. Evans, the Society's
Inspectors, for their help in certain difficult cases.
The burden of the work has fallen upon the Assistant Medical
Officers, Health Visitors, and the Clerical Staff, to all of whom I
desire to record my thanks for their loyalty and co-operation.
I am,
Yours faithfully,
OSCAR M. HOLDEN,
School Medical Officer.