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Under Article 53 of the Education Code, 265 children were
excluded during the year for the undermentioned conditions:—
Conjunctivitis 29
Impetigo 189
Ringworm of the Head 17
Ringworm of the Body 5
Scabies 15
Other Skin Diseases 10
Total 265
Impetigo contagiosa is a cause of considerable absenteeism.
Treatment is given at the School Clinic for all cases, but some
of marked severity prove so resistant to treatment that they
remain away from school for lengthy periods. The early isolation
and treatment of affected children are the chief means of preventing
infection, and these can only be brought into action by the early
submission of suspected cases to medical examination. Children
affected with any sores should therefore be submitted by the
teachers for examination a the School Clinic at the earliest practicable
opportunity. If immediate action be taken infection would
be prevented and attendances would be saved.
Ringworm of the body is a very simple condition to cure, but
the same cannot be said of ringworm of the head, which is extremely
resistant to drug treatment, and for which X-rays prove the only
effective and at the same time comparatively rapid remedy.
FOLLOWING UP.
On the completion of routine medical inspection at each school
forms are sent to the Head-teachers giving the list of children
suffering from defects, each defect being specified, and a note
being made whether treatment or observation is called for. At the
end of ten weeks the teacher is required to make a return on a
duplicate form as to the children who on enquiry are discovered