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102
Of all these body-building foods, milk contains the largest
number of desirable properties, if, therefore, the financial lack
is definite but not great, the provision of milk fulfils a double
function, it restores the diet to an adequate level as regards
essential food properties and relieves the family budget of an
expensive but poor "hunger satisfying" food. In winter
it may lack vitamins, hence the addition of cod liver oil and
malt.
After long and careful consideration of the whole question
of nutrition, I am of opinion that medical assessment alone
gives results which are in many instances fallacious and that
the need for extra nourishment can best be judged on a
purely economic basis.
UNCLEANLINESS.
From Board of Education Statistical Table VI. it will be
seen that 38,378 inspections were made by the school nurses
as regards uncleanliness and 884 children were found to fall
below a reasonable standard of cleanliness.
Notices sent to the parents drawing attention to the
condition of the children were in all cases complied with and
it was not necessary for any cases to be cleansed under official
arrangements.
MINOR AILMENTS AND DISEASES OF THE SKIN.
Minor ailments are treated daily by the health visitors
at all the permanent health centres, in addition doctors'
sessions are held weekly and in the case of the Watling
Centre, they are held twice each week owing to the- large
number of children requiring treatment.
It will be seen that of the 4,178 defects which required
treatment during the year, 3,940 were treated at the health
centres and the remaining 238 were either referred to hospital
or to a private practitioner.
The following Table shows the number of attendances
made by the children at the minor ailment clinics for treatment
during the year :—