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19
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
The School Medical Service continued to function as in the
previous year.
Diphtheria immunization proceeded on the lines previously
described. With the co-operation of the Head-teachers special
efforts were made to bring immunization to the attention of the
parents by sending fresh letters to the homes in instances where
children were still not immunized.
Owing to the renewed enemy aerial activities large scale
evacuation took place during the summer months involving special
medical examinations of all those taking advantage of the Government
Scheme.
The. Child Guidance Centre was opened in October, being
staffed by a team of three, consisting of a Psychiatrist, an Educational
Psychologist and a Psychiatric Social Worker.
STAFF.
Dr. Josephine Webb, temporary Assistant School Medical
Officer, resigned at the end of the year and Dr. Marguerite Perry
was appointed in her place.
Mr. H. J. Wooldridge, part-time Dental Surgeon, unfortunately
died suddenly. He was succeeded by Mr. F. W. E. Wagner.
Miss Penney, temporary School Nurse, commenced duties on
the 1st May in place of Mrs. James who resigned in the previous
December. *
EVACUATION.
Owing to enemy air activity large scale evacuation was resumed
on the 4th July, 4,506 mothers and children being medically
examined prior to evacuation and 116 of these being re-examined
owing to various conditions which made them unfit in the first
instance.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Medical Inspection included (1) the routine inspection in the
schools of children in the only two age-groups : (a) entrants, and
(b) children at 13 years ; (2) the special inspection of children
referred by the Head-teachers, School Nurses and School Enquiry
Officers, and (3) the annual examination of physically defective
children and of children requiring to be kept under observation.
FINDINGS OF MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Among the 3,514 children examined in a routine manner there
were 335 defects, excluding uncleanliness and dental disease,
requiring treatment and 539 requiring to be kept under observation.
The examination of the 5,297 children submitted specially revealed
3,221 defects requiring treatment and 820 requiring to be kept
under observation.