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recuperative hostel and social clubs. Perhaps one of the most encouraging aspects
is the increasing co-operation and co-ordination of the work of the Department
with that of the psychiatric hospitals, and the emphasis on preventive and supportive
activities in the community.
Health Education plays an ever increasing and important part in the Health
Department's activities. This work is undertaken by the professional and technical
officers in the course of their duties in their respective spheres of specialty, and in
talks to various groups of people and organisations, and an impetus has been given
by the appointment of a health education organiser.
In the School Health Service, routine medical inspection and dental inspection
at appropriate intervals, with arrangements for any necessary medical and dental
treatment, continued to be the basis of the service.
The method of selective medical examination, favoured by some authorities,
and largely based on referrals by teachers and the completion of a medical questionnaire
by parents, has not been adopted, although the arguments for and against
such a system have had careful consideration.
Under our present arrangements, each child receives a routine medical inspection
four times during school life, with the result that over one third of the children on
the school roll were examined during the year.
The commonest defects found at routine and special examinations, to require
treatment or continued observation were those of vision and other eye defects,
hearing and other ear disorders, nose and throat conditions, skin diseases, chest
disorders and developmental and orthopaedic conditions.
The emphasis placed on colour vision testing and audio metric testing has proved
most valuable, whilst the specialist clinics continued to provide a most important
service.
The consultative clinic for students at one of the technical colleges, which was
commenced during the year, appears to be fulfilling a useful purpose, and the
arrangement will probably be extended to other colleges.
As detailed in the text of the report, a number of handicapped children in
several categories, were placed in special schools where, in their interests, treatment
and education according to their needs, could best be provided. This is a particularly
important provision for handicapped children.
It is our endeavour to provide a comprehensive and adequate dental service,
and during the year we have almost reached our first objective of an annual dental
inspection with any necessary treatment, including orthodontic treatment, of each
child on the school roll.
Amongst what are usually referred to as the Environmental Health functions
of the Department, a great amount of work has been accomplished. This work has
been largely directed towards control of infectious disease, rodent and insect pest
control, provision and maintenance of fit dwellings, health and welfare in offices,
shops, factories and workplaces, sound drainage, pure and wholesome food and
water, clean air and freedom from excessive noise. This has entailed a very great
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