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Cases of Tuberculosis occurring in Teachers or Pupils
Investigations were carried out on the advice of the Chest Physician at a comprehensive school where a case of
pulmonary tuberculosis had occurred amongst the pupils. 330 pupils and staff had chest x-rays, but no further
cases were discovered.
Ringworm of the Scalp
Cases of ringworm of the scalp continue to occur sporadically. During the year 19 cases occurred in 3 schools
throughout the Borough. I am grateful to St. John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin for the screening
procedure which they continue to carry out in these cases. No evidence of spread of infection was discovered.
All doubtful cases were referred to the Consultant Dermatologist at the Prince of Wales's Hospital for further
investigation.
Hygiene Inspections
School Nurses continued to carry out regular hygiene inspections in the schools, to guard against the spread of
infection and contagion.
The following are details of the hygiene inspections carried out during 1972:—
Number of individual examinations of pupils in schools 74,495
Number of individual pupils found to have nits in the hair 606
MILK IN SCHOOLS
As a result of the Education (Milk) Act 1971, from the beginning of the Autumn Term 1971 free milk has
been supplied only to —
(a) children in infant and nursery schools up to the end of the summer term next following the seventh
birthday;
(b) children in primary schools where the school medical officer certifies that a child should be provided with
milk at school;
(c) all children in special schools.
In accordance with the Council's policy, medical examination continued of all children aged 7—11 who no
longer automatically qualified for school milk. As in 1971 these examinations were carried out by general
practitioners employed sessionally in the School Health Service. The parents were advised when these examinations
would take place and those parents who did not wish their children to be considered for free school milk on
health grounds were asked to reply in writing but only a small percentage did so.
In accordance with the further wishes of the Education Committee, from April 1973 parents will be given
written notification of the examining doctor's decision.
The Department of Education and Science ruled that the certification of pupils for the supply of free school
milk on the grounds of health is a question for the professional judgment of the School Medical Officer and
emphasised that there was nothing in the Act which required the Medical Officer to wait until there was overt
sign of malnutrition before giving a certificate.
During 1972, 9,994 children were examined, of whom 6,725 (67%) were given a certificate leading to the issue
of a free 1/3rd of a pint of milk a day.
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