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110
Having ascertained the method of many other clinics, our scheme was
evolved by collating the best points of each one, whereby we could get the
quickest possible cure with the minimum loss of attendance at school. Of
course, the work of the first year was more or less experimental as to method,
but the response of the parents to the opportunities given them, as shown by
the total number of attendances has been very encouraging. As the year went
on it soon became evident that one nurse was not sufficient to cope with the
work of this department. (A second nurse was appointed in January 1921.)
The first nurse at the Minor Ailments Section (Mrs. Wilkin), I much
regret to say, had to cease work suddenly through illness in September, 1920.
Prior to the opening of the Clinic, the services of a half-time officer as
following-up nurse were considered sufficient, but the time has now arrived
when Mrs. Hobbs should be made a full-time officer. School cases of all kinds,
special cases from the S.M.O. and the three sections of the Clinic, are more
than sufficient to occupy the whole of her time.
This is a record of the number of attendances for the following defects:—
Ringworm (head and body) 4176
Scabies 1448
Impetigo 3151
Discharging ears 3227
External eye diseases 1932
The dental surgeon reserves for me Saturday mornings, when he attends
to children who, at all ages, have come under my notice during the week's
routine inspection.
The selection of cases for treatment by the ophthalmic surgeon is left to me.
This officer attends one half-session per week, and you have a special report
from that officer.
R. H. STRONG.