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262
FINDINGS AT ROUTINE MEDICAL INSPECTIONS.
Uncleanliness.
For uncleanliness. surveys the health visitors made 465 visits
to schools, an increase of 19. At the primary inspections they
found vermin in 201 and nits alone in 1,612 children. On these
inspections, 3.0 per cent. of the children showed evidence of infestation
as against 3.1 in 1936 and 3.4 in 1935.
The scheme inaugurated in 1935 has continued to function very
satisfactorily.
Clothing and Footgear.
At routine medical inspections 99.7 per cent. of the boys and
99.5 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 14.6 per cent. of the boys and 16.1 per cent
of the girls were below normal nutrition for the area. In the Intermediate
group 8.5 per cent. of the boys and 11.2 per cent. of the
girls were under average; in the Leavers' group 8.6 per cent. of the
boys and 8.5 per cent. girls, giving in the whole school groups
examined 11.0 per cent. boys and 12.2 per cent. girls.
There is no standard of nutrition, and no universally reliable
method of assessment has been arrived at. The Board of Education
has laid down the following grades, but in the absence of standardised
tests, and criteria, actual assessment naturally varies with
the varying ideas of the examining medical officers.
A. Excellent.
B. Normal.
C. Slightly sub-normal.
D. Bad.
Height and Weights.
Table III. gives the results of an enquiry made to ascertain the
average heights and weights of all children examined at routine
inspections during 1937. The full value of this Table will not be
obtained until similar records for ten consecutive years have been
analysed; when this is completed the rate of growth can be followed,
so far as Croydon children are concerned, throughout school life.