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(2) Head Inspections
Ignorance of infestation by the public is distressing and
it seems that all too few parents regularly check their
children's heads these days. As a consequence,
emergency inspections and contact tracing have
increased.
During 1971, 50,489 examinations were carried out and
515 cases of infestation were found, representing 1% of
chi Idren examined.
(3) Vision Testing
Vision testing is carried out normally on five occasions
diring the child's school life: at approximately five,
seven, nine, twelve and fourteen years of age. Three of
these examinations are linked with the routine medical
inspections, and school nurses make special visits to
school for the other two. Colour vision is checked once
during the chi Id's school life, as a defect may influence
the choice of career.
Procedures (1) and (3) are carried out more frequently in
special schools, as are routine medical inspections.
SCHOOL CLINICS
The following school clinics are provided:-
General
Asthma
Chiropody
Speech Therapy
Ophthalmic
Orthopaedic
Child Guidance
The work done at these clinics is described below.
General School Clinics
To these clinics any parent or teacher may refer a child
whose health or progress at school is causing concern.
Sessions are held at each of the Council's clinics at
least once a week.
Abbey Parade Laurel House
Avenue Road Mattock Lane
Cherington House Northcote
Cloister Road Northolt Grange
Greenford Green Peri vale
Islip Manor Pierrepoint Road
Jubilee Gardens Ravenor Park
King Street Trinity Way
These clinics provide a greater measure of privacy than
is normally possible at school and the medical officer
can give more time to a discussion with parents.
Asthma Clinics
Special sessions for chi Idren suffering from bronchitis and
asthma are held at four of the Council's clinics, where
children are treated by a physiotherapist. The treatment
is aimed at improving healthy habits, which assists in
reducing attacks of asthma and bronchitis. At the Asthma
Clinic parents are advised on the best needs of an
asthmatic child.
Chiropody Clinics
In so far as school children are concerned, chiropody is
almost exclusively the treatment of verrucae. This
persistent and contagious condition is prevalent amongst
school children and is a type of wart, which forms
usually on the sole of the foot and if untreated becomes
painful. The treatment, though not difficult, is time
consuming. Chiropodists remain in short supply and most
of the work in children's feet consists of treatment of
single verrucae. This work is done almost entirely by
clinic nurses.
Details of attendances during 1971 are:-
New cases 1110
Re-examinations 4214
Total 5324
Speech Therapy
Members of the medical profession, the schools, and the
general public are becoming increasingly aware of the
value and scope of speech therapy, so that despite the
addition of an extra full time speech therapist on the
establishment, it is increasingly difficult to meet the
demand for this service.

Ophthalmology Clinics
Ophthalmic Clinics are carried out in the Borough as
follows:-
Avenue Road Clinic - weekly Dr B Bradley, M.D.
d.o.m.s.
Mattock Lane Clinic - weekly
. Dr L H Macfarlane
Jubilee Gardens Clinic - m.d. d.P.H. d.o.M.s.
fortnightlv
Islip Manor Clinic - monthly
Dr m Billinghurst
Ravenor Park Clinic-three m.B. B.S. D.O.m.S.
monthly
The ophthalmologists working in the Ealing Clinics have
a link with the local hospitals, and any operative or other
treatment may be obtained without a break in continuity.
Dr Macfarlane retired from the Council service in
September 1971 and permission was obtained for an
increase in sessions to deal with the increased referrals.
Attendances during the year were:-
First attendances 483
Re-attendances 1866
Total 2349
Glasses prescribed 712
In addition to the ophthalmic consultant sessions, an
orthoptic clinic at Avenue Road functions for seven
sessions a fortnight and at Ravenor Park for three
sessions a fortnight.