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Findings of School Medical Inspection.
Review of the Facts Disclosed.
Table II gives the total number of defects discovered on
inspection at the schools during routine medical examination and
at the School Clinic. Among 1,747 routine children examined
there were 605 defects requiring treatment and 205 requiring to
be kept under observation without treatment; and among 1,762
children specially examined there were found 875 defects requiring
treatment and 241 requiring to be kept under observation. Thus
out of a total of 3,509 children there were altogether 1,480 defects
requiring treatment, and 446 requiring observation. Of the 1,747
children examined in the routine way 366, or 20.9 per cent, were
found to require treatment for defective conditions other than
uncleanliness and dental disease.
(a) Uncleanliness.— In accordance with the practice in
previous years, the heads of all the girls attending the elementary
schools were inspected after the usual school holidays, three times
a year, to determine their condition as regards cleanliness. Of
9,387 children examined, 245, or 2.6 per cent., were excluded on
account of verminous condition. In addition, seven other children
were excluded for verminous condition at the routine medical
inspection held in the schools and 26 at the School Clinic on being
referred for examination by the head-teachers.
In the ordinary course of events summonses are issued under
the School Attendance Bye-laws if children so excluded are not
cleansed within fourteen days. During the year only one summons
was required, a fine of 10s. being imposed by the Justices. No
action was taken during the year under Section 87 of the Education
Act of 1921, the procedure under the School Attendance Bye-laws
being considered more satisfactory.