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firms who supplied the greatest number of children (18.9 per cent.,
7.7 per cent. and 7.3 per cent, respectively) were all well-known
British firms.
Barefoot Dancing.
It is possible that children who practice barefoot dancing are
more liable to abrasions of the skin of the soles of the feet from
small wood splinters in the floor ; but of the 258 cases investigated,
only 2 children had practised dancing barefoot.
Tar Compounds.
In view of the well-known irritant action of tar and its compounds,
attention was directed to school playgrounds recently resurfaced.
It was found, however, that no incidence greater than
the average occurred in the three schools where playgrounds had
been re-surfaced recently.
Summary and Conclusions.
Of children attending junior and senior departments of public
elementary schools in an extra-metropolitan area from April to
October, 1938, 3.53 per cent, were found to be suffering from
plantar warts.
There is a progressive increase in incidence up to the age of
twelve years, after which there is a progressive decline.
The percentage incidence among girls is greater than among
boys.
There is no evidence that social conditions, general state of
nourishment, colour or moisture of the skin are of significance as
predisposing causes.
As 25 per cent, of affected children had not attended public
swimming pools, the evidence of possible spread of infection at
such pools is not conclusive.
Ninety-three per cent, of affected children were in the habit
of wearing thin rubber shoes, but in 68 per cent, of these cases
the shoes had not been worn by other children.
Injury from defective footwear was a possible exciting cause
in 34 per cent, of the cases.