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100
hygiene or child-parent relationship.
Now that physical disorders have diminished so greatly in
frequency, the mental and emotional development of the children
become all the more important. In this connection, much thought
has been given to the alteration of the existing Croydon system
of examining children as "Entrants", "8-year olds", "Primary
leavers", and "Final Leavers". To have three examinations of
the Primary and one only of the Secondary School group appears
out of balance and there are strong reasons for recommending the
third examination to be of "Secondary Entrants". Attention has
been drawn, however, to particular problems which arise in the
'Primary Leavers" .apparently in relation to the common entrance
examination. Parental anxiety is communicated to the children
and words of guidance at this stage may be of immediate help and
prevent future difficulties. However, parental reaction to the
failure of a child to obtain a Grammar School place appears to
be an attitude with which Head Teachers of Secondary Modern
Schools are required to contend. On balance, it would seem in
the best interests of the child that the third medical examination
should take place on entry to the Secondary School, so that
parents, teachers and doctors may combine to ensure that the
child obtains the maximum possible benefit from the vital years
of Secondary School education.
Recorded defects ascertained at routine medical inspections
follow the pattern of previous years. Respiratory infections
such as the common cold or a specific communicable disease, such
as measles, or as an indeterminate illness, to which no other
name than "upper respiratory tract infection" can be affixed,
remain an unsolved problem of our present day society. The Primary
School Entrants soon show evidence of their repeated encounters
with new infections by enlargement of lymph tissues in the nose
and throat, which are recorded under defects of these regions.
Like the immature mind, the body also has its lessons to learn
for which time and patience are essential. It is often necessary
to advise against surgical intervention during the early years
of school life in opposition to parental pressure for some
drastic action to end their child's continuous series of minor
respiratory infections. Unfortunately, no practicable system of
air sterilisation of classrooms has been produced to lessen
these risks. Good nutrition, and general fitness are not certain
safeguards, but aid resistance and speed recovery. While we must
consider special action for the dangerous illnesses, for example,
diphtheria or poliomyelitis, for the troublesome but relatively