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48
SECTION 6.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE.
The health of the school child can probably best be
shown in the classification of the general condition of
children at the routine medical inspections. In 1955 there
was a further decline in the number classified as in poor
condition. In 1953 57 children were placed in this category,
44 children in 1954 and only 16 in the year under
review.
One case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a school child
necessitated investigation. All class contacts were mass
X-rayed and no other case was discovered. These precautions
are taken to ensure that there is no source of infection
in school.
Ten children contracted Paralytic Poliomyelitis in
1955. There were no deaths among school children from this
disease.
It has been possible in 1955 to place nearly all
children requiring special education. The young educationally
sub normal pupil presents a difficulty in this respect.
The mental age of the child is the deciding factor
of admission and according to the degree of backwardness
the child may reach a chronological age of anything up to
ten years before he reaches a mental age of five years.
MINOR AILMENT CLINICS
These clinics continue to deal with large numbers of
children with minor disorders and provide a means for a
more detailed study of any defects noticed at routine
inspections.
Attendances at Minor Ailment Clinics
1953 1954 1955
4,948 6,746 6,087
ROUTINE MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
Three routine inspections are carried out during the
child's school life, during their first year at school,
during their last year at primary school and prior to
leaving school.