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80
TREATMENT.
Under the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act,
1907, Local Education Authorities may undertake the treatment
of children, provided the sanction of the Board of Education
be first obtained. There does not appear to be such
poverty or distress in Finchley as to require or necessitate
such treatment being immediately undertaken as, apart from
the seriousness of such a step, it is difficult at present to judge
the cost of such an undertaking, or to estimate the ultimate
effect it might have. With reference to the treatment of
ringworm, however, I would suggest for your serious consideration
whether some scheme of treatment might not be devised
with advantage. Ringworm, from the educational standpoint
is a most formidable complaint, its untractability to ordinary
treatment, and its long duration makes it a serious matter
for the child, and the loss of Government Grant making it an
equally serious matter for the Education Authorities. Several
Education Authorities have already undertaken the treatment
of this complaint by means of the X Ray, and have found
that the cost of such treatment is less than the loss sustained
by the exclusion of the affected scholars. In bringing this
matter prominently to your notice, I am not unmindful that
any such a step is a matter for serious deliberation, as any
treatment undertaken by the Council might, without strict
supervision, lead to a serious abuse of public money.
I would also like this opportunity of bringing before you
the real need for a properly equipped laboratory. To keep
pace with the increasing work of the schools, such a laboratory
is almost essential; moreover it would lead to greater
efficiency in many directions. It is hoped that some scheme
may shortly be laid before a Special Sub-Committee appointed
to enquire into this matter.