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96
value of the confidence children have in their teachers is, and will be,
in time of crisis a most important factor in preventing panic. The
crisis in September was significant in the complete absence of any
signs of panic in our schools or amongst our children, and this
was largely due to our teachers.
The number of children who have been found to be suffering
from skin disease or defects associated with lack of cleanliness tends
to decrease, and where lack of cleanliness is discovered the tendency
is for the condition to be less severe than in previous years.
I include a report from the Senior School Dentist, Mr. James.
This shows clearly the impossibility of dealing adequately with the
dental condition of the children of Enfield with the existing staff.
I sincerely hope that the appointment of a third dentist will
ameliorate in part the present position.
Mr. Hogg, the School Aural Specialist, and Mr. Macky, the
School Ophthalmic Surgeon, in their reports give indication of the
work that has been carried out in their particular departments
during the year. I am satisfied that the extension of the services
of the Aural and Ophthalmic Clinics to children under five years of
age will prevent much of the incapacitating disease which so far has
only been discovered when children enter school.
The completion of new schools with their vast improvement in
design, the erection of houses, the appointment of more teachers,
and the growth of the School Medical Services are in my opinion
factors which are improving the physique of the children of the
district year by year. The healthy child is created by a variety of
circumstances, one of the most important of which is the social
environment in which it can be brought up. Children spend almost
one third of their lives within the precincts of their schools. It
is difficult to exaggerate the good that can be achieved by securing
that these hours shall be healthy both from the mental atmosphere
with which the child is surrounded, and the physical freedom it is
given to improve its actual health and strength.
I beg to take this opportunity of thanking the Committee for
the courtesy it has always extended to me, and to pay tribute to
my colleague, Mr. Pascal, and to every member of the School
Medical Department who has helped me during the year.
I am, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Dennis H. Geffen.
School Medical Officer