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Medical inspections in non-maintained schools were continued
during the year in those schools which have requested such
facilities. Two schools have made enquiries about the possible
commencement of medical inspections but no formal requests have
yet been received. Arrangements have been completed for the
introduction of annual medical inspections at the Croydon
Spastics Centre which already receives a financial grant from
the Education Committee. Following a request by the Head Mistress
at Croydon High School for Girls, arrangements have been made
for routine sweep tests of hearing to be introduced in the
Infant Department. A total of 764 children were medically
examined at non-maintained schools in 1965, and detailed findings
have been recorded in Appendix C, page 59
As a result of medical inspections in all schools a total of
4,568 defects were receiving or were thought to require medical
treatment and a further 4,744 defects were referred for further
observation by the school medical officer. A summary of the
defects which were found has been recorded in Table 3 from which
it will be noted that vision defects, upper respiratory defects
and orthopaedic conditions accounted for almost half of the
conditions which were reported. The proportion of defects which
were discovered in every hundred children examined has been recorded
in Table 4. It is interesting to note that every seventh
child in Croydon fails to achieve a "normal" standard of vision
when the appropriate examination is undertaken in school.
Personal Hygiene
Infestation with nits continues to be a small but persistent
problem in Croydon. Cleanliness inspections have been carried
out by the school nurses each term in most schools and as a
result of primary inspections vermin were found in 17 children
and nits alone in 437 children. Thus 0.9% of the children showed
evidence of infestation as against 1.1% in 1964. Parents are
advised about the best method of dealing with the condition and
a cleansing station is provided for the treatment of scabies and
persistent verminous conditions. 16 schoolchildren attended the
Cleansing Station for treatment of scabies, and five schoolchildren
were treated for head vermin.