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accompanied by their parents. Parents undoubtedly continue to
appreciate the value of school medical inspection and display
marked eagerness to obtain medical advice regarding their children.
The interest of the parent augurs well for the future
health of the community.
The interest of the parent is also ably seconded by the
interest of the teachers. The co-operation of the teachers must
be recognised as of the utmost value. "A sound mind in a
sound body" is a maxim the truth of which is fully realised, and
the educational aspect of medical inspection will ultimately assume
its proper place.
HEALTH OF THE CHILDREN.
The general health of the school children is on the whole
good. A slight improvement has to be recorded since the previous
year. With the gradual passing of the acute economic
depression which followed the boom period of 1919, a gradual
return to a more normal state of health is probably to be expected.
It is noticeable, however, that "Entrants" continue to be
underweight. The number of "Entrants" examined during
the year under review is below the average, as a result of much
though mild infection during the winter months, and not as one
might imagine as a sequence of a low birth-rate in 1917.
MINOR AILMENT CLINIC.
This clinic is conducted at the Town Hall every morning by
the school medical officer.
Treatment is carried out by the nurse on duty under his
direction.
By arrangement, a nurse from the Essex County Nursing
Association usually also attends this clinic, and in return for
instruction assists the nurse on clinic duty.
As in former years, children found with defects by the
school medical officer, children found to have obvious defects by
the teacher, and children found to be verminous by the nurse
at the "head inspections" in the school are given clinic cards
and attend the clinic.