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would appear that, in Leyton, the incidence of hypochromic
anaemia in elementary school children is low. It is interesting to
note that of the 134 children sent to the school clinics by parents,
teachers and school medical inspectors on account of " anaemia,"
only 7 (5 per cent.) had a haemoglobin level of less than 80 per cent.
and only 29 (21.6 per cent.) had a haemoglobin level of less than
85 per cent. The highest incidence of anaemia in this specially
selected group of children was found in undernourished children.
But even in the case of the 103 undernourished children tested,
only 30 (29 per cent.) had a haemoglobin level of less than 85 per
cent. and only 13 (12 per cent.) had a haemoglobin level of less than
80 per cent. Of the 166 " debilitated " children tested, 45 (27 per
cent.) had a haemoglobin level of less than 85 per cent. and 16
(9.6 per cent.) had less than 80 per cent. of haemoglobin.
Children whose haemoglobin level was below 85 per cent.
was given iron and ammonium citrate in doses of 30-90 grains
daily (according to age). This method of treatment gave such
quick and satisfying results that, despite the low incidence of
hypochromic anaemia found in this investigation, it is considered
that a haemoglobin estimation should be almost a routine procedure
in school medical work.
Summary.
(1) 529 specially selected pale children had their haemoglobin
estimated by Sahli's method.
(2) 124 (23.5 per cent.) of them had a haemoglobin level of
less than 85 per cent.
(3) 39 (7.4 per cent.) had a haemoglobin level of less than
80 per cent.
II. Report by Dr. Mary Gilchrist.
Simultaneously with the above series of cases a similar group
was being investigated, though—owing to much less time being
available for clinic work—the numbers are much smaller. On
the broad basis of overall percentages however, the findings are
approximately the same as in the case of Dr. Henderson's series.
Table II sets out the results.
Although it had been agreed that a haemoglobin estimation
should be done in all children with the classic appearance of
" anaemia," lack of time soon narrowed the choice to those showing