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11
The marked increase of uncleanliness at follow-up visits is a source
of some concern. The chance discovery of infestation is always possible
in any school child since, like other infectious diseases, infestation has
no respect for persons. When the condition remains untreated or inadequately
treated, however, doubts must be raised about the determination of
a parent to eradicate the condition, and it is perhaps surprising that it has
been necessary to invoke the statutory procedure laid down in the Education
Act for the cleansing of these pupils on an increasing number of occasions.
There have been two incidents this year involving children who were
not infested with head lice but who were generally so dirty that complaints
were received from other children and from teachers. The children themselves
were naturally disturbed by their rejection by their contemporaries,
and energetic efforts were necessary by the nursing staff to ensure some
improvement in the situation.
A small outbreak of scabies proved troublesome but responded to
treatment by family doctors and careful fol low-up by the staff of the
Department. A cleansing station is provided for the treatment of scabies,
and persistent verminous conditions. Sixteen school children attended the
cleansing station for treatment of scabies, and six school children were
treated for head vermin. Both of these figures are smaller than those for
1968.