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1523 cases were reported by Head Teachers. The previous highest
figure in any one year was 345 in 1952. There was considerable
spread to the adult population for whom figures are not available
as it is not a notifiable disease. It gave concern to
Maternity services. As good immunity results from a single
attack of the illness, there are advantages in school girls
being exposed to Rubella. Our present rules of exclusion for 7
days might be questioned for girls schools on the grounds that
we should encourage this age group to acquire immunity against
Rubella.
Handicapped Children
A current trend in school health work is to bring forward
the age of first finding defects. Thus the Teacher of the Deaf
co-operates in the testing of young infants whose names are recorded
on the "at risk" register. Sweep testing for hearing loss,
and examination of eye sight were established as routine for all
school entrants.
At St. Giles School a second Physiotherapist was appointed;
and routine sessions for the reassessment of intelligence were
doubled at St. Christopher's School.
The Psychiatrist of the Child Guidance Clinic refers to the
success of the special class for maladjusted children. Proposals
for a second class to be established were put forward.
A most helpful conference was held with officers of the
Ministry of Education on future plans for special units in the
Borough covering children with partial hearing, partial sight,
maladjustment, inability to communicate and those of doubtful
educability. As the Committee knows, local provision is being
made for these various groups in the near future.
Dental Health
The Principal School Dental Officer comments on changing
aspects of the campaign to promote dental health. While we must
strive to prevent dental caries, I doubt if we can persuade
children to forego all the pleasures of sophisticated foods and
the confectioners art. If they must indulge, as do their parents,
we still need to emphasize the importance of routine dental
treatment. It was not possible to accept an offer to be one of
the areas to conduct a pilot scheme for intensive dental health
education. It is something we will recommend to yon when we
think it justified by the chances of better results than those
we achieve at present.