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3. FINDINGS OF MEDICAL INSPECTIONS.
(a) Classification of the Nutrition of Children inspected during the year:—
Number A B C
Inspected (Good) (Fair) (Poor)
5,881 2,097 3,386 398
(b) Cleanliness.
The total number of examinations carried out in the schools by the
school nurses was 43,620 and the total number of individual pupils found to
be infested 918, in respect of whom cleansing notices under Section 54 (2) of
the Education Act, 1944, were issued. The number of individual pupils in
respect of whom cleansing orders were issued (Section 54 (3)) was 144.
(c) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.
The total attendances at the two Minor Ailments Clinics during the
year were 26,910, as follows:—
Pymmes Park Clinic 13,013
Croyland Road Clinic 13,897
(d) Visual Defects and External Eye Diseases.
The Ophthalmic Surgeon has submitted the following report:—
"The progressive increase in the number of school children and children
under school age, which has been going on since the Ophthalmic Clinic commenced,
is even more marked than in previous years, and the total attendances
have reached the very large figure of 3,697, which is a record.
There can be little doubt that in comparison with other clinics of this
kind the parents attending this clinic show much more interest and enthusiasm
in the matter of the children's eyesight than is found elsewhere. The merit in
this matter is due to the doctors in the Edmonton Clinics and in some cases to
the general practitioners in the neighbourhood.
The number of children referred for Refraction during the year has
amounted to 1,358. It will be appreciated that glasses are frequently ordered
for children whose vision is in fact not defective but as a result of such
children suffering from headaches or from styes or from eyestrain and sometimes
from the child's inability to keep its writing on a straight line, and that
it is not showing progress in school. This, of course, in many instances has to
be explained to the parents who otherwise would not understand why glasses
are ordered when there is no defect in vision, though it is usually due to their
own descriptions of their child's symptoms. It would be safe to state that of
all these cases practically 100% are rapidly cured by the wearing of the
glasses prescribed, and, the difficulties caused by the headaches, styes and eyestrain
disappear almost immediately.
One of the outstanding benefits of this clinic is that congenital defects
are dealt with in the earliest stage. This has always been earnestly desired
by Ophthalmic Surgeons so that treatment can be commenced before school
age, thereby preventing the conditions becoming more difficult or even
impossible to remedy. In cases of squint and congenital cataract this early
treatment at the youngest age is of paramount importance.
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