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79
during 1913, and who would be likely to leave School by the
end of the year or shortly after. It will be remembered that
when Medical Inspection was first introduced the Board of
Education indicated that ultimately they would require that
all children should be examined four times during their
School career and the Committee decided to adopt the suggestion
and agreed that such arrangements should be carried out
from the beginning. In a recent circular the Board indicate
what they will regard as minimum requirements in 1915.
From this it will be seen that as regards Medical Inspection
the Committee are doing more than is actually required at
present. Schedule " A" is extremely interesting as showing
the number of children who received special attention on
account of defects found and who were examined and reexamined
in order to ascertain whether the treatment advised
had been carried out. The total number as shown by the
special cards known as "B" cards worked out at about 11 per
cent. of the children on the rolls. 137 children who were
absent for various causes, and who were not being attended
by any Doctor were brought by their parents to the Council
Offices, and instructions were given to them as to the treatment
to be pursued. Exclusion Certificates and what are
known as Clearance Certificates are now given by Dr. Skan
and myself in all cases that are necessary.
The attendance of the parents at the inspections continues
to be very encouraging, and it is gratifying to find that
in most oases they appreciate what is being done for their
children. No fewer than 1937 parents were present last year
and one can only hope that the brief conversations which Dr.
Skan and I had with many of them will be of some use in
assisting the parents to a knowledge of their responsibilities
in the upbringing of the children.