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67
and milk and biscuits, but the numbers of such children are so small
that organised methods of providing meals in schools are not called
for.
CO-OPERATION OF OTHERS IN THE SCHOOL MEDICAL
SERVICE.
The parents show an ever increasing interest in the medical
inspection of their children and in the treatment of the defects
discovered. Rarely is objection made to medical inspection. On
the contrary very often the parents solicit special inspection for
and seek advice regarding some suspected defect or apparent lack
of health in the children. The high percentage of parents attending
medical inspection, 75 per cent. of the children examined, gives
evidence of their interest.
The help which the teachers give in the general scheme of
medical inspection and treatment is very great, but still greater
help will be given by them when they recognise to the greatest
extent how much education in hygiene and the cultivation of healthy
habits form part of the essential education of the child and when the
suggestions contained in the Handbook on Health Education
issued by the Board of Education have been fully accepted and
acted upon.
This Handbook has been issued to all the schools and teachers
have been advised to adopt the suggestions contained therein.
It has been further advised that the extent of the teaching of hygiene
in the schools should be as follows:—
Infants' Schools.
(a) Incidental and habit teaching each day when occasion
offers.
(b) In the upper classes, short informal talks of five
minutes each day.
Junior Schools.
(a) Incidental teaching each day as occasion offers.
(b) Formal talks of five minutes each day.
(c) Formal lesson of thirty minutes each week.