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11
A cleansing station is provided for the treatment of scabies and persistent
verminous conditions. Twenty-seven school children attended the cleansing
station for treatment of scabies, and nineteen school children were
treated for head vermin.

Defects of the Skin
The number of skin defects discovered during the year showed no significant
change.
In September 1967 an unexpected reaction to the standard treatment
employed at the school clinics for the removal of warts raised doubts about
current procedures. The child had been treated on previous occasions and a
number of warts had been successfully removed. The procedure on this occasion
did show minor variations but these were later proved to be of no significance
in determining subsequent events. Unfortunately marked blister
formation away from the treated area proved so severe that in-patient hospital
treatment was considered advisable. Fortunately, the whole incident resolved
without any permanent scarring. The Committee appointed Dr. D.I. Williams,
Consultant Dermatologist, from King's College Hospital, to investigate the
nature of the reaction and, on the basis of his reassuring report, it was decided
that no changes in current procedures were necessary.
One school child developed ringworm of the scalp during the year. Another
member of the family was also affected, but specialist treatment ensured that
no spread of infection occurred in the school.
Defects of Vision
Defects of vision constitute the largest single group of abnormalities
discovered by the School Health Service. In 1967, 22.5% of all defects were
in this group (Table 3). The greatest proportion of vision defects in a single
age group is now found at thirteen years (Table 6) when the examination of
vision is not accompanied by a general medical inspection. Although this
additional test undoubtedly increases the burden which is placed upon
available school time, it will be seen that in numerical terms the Committee's
decision to introduce it is fully confirmed.