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treated by X-rays, and 7 were cured by drugs. Prejudice against the use of X-rays
still exists in the minds of a few parents. The results of this form of treatment
have been uniformly satisfactoty; this treatment is effective and rapid.
Cases (especially those with scattered patches) which have been treated by
drugs for twelve months have finally had recourse to X-rays. Usually the cases
treated by X-rays have been cured and have returned to school within five weeks.
Scabies was more prevalent in the latter part of the year.
Children requiring small dressings or syringing of the ears have been seen by
the School Nurse on Tuesday mornings.
Review of the Action to Detect and Prevent the Spread of Infectious
Disease.
Measles was prevalent in the schools during the six weeks before Easter. The
School Medical Officer consulted with the Medical Officer of Health, and it wr s decided
to advise the closing of the Infants' Departments of all the Schools on Fridg y, March
30th, instead of on April 4th. This was done, and an interval of sixteen clear days
before the holidays terminated was ensured. This postponed to the next term the
usual passing of children from the Infants' Departments into the Boys and Girls'
Departments, and the admission of fresh children into the Infants' Departments ;
these changes would otherwise have been carried out on April 2nd. This closure
emphasizes the importance of a longer holiday at Easter, viz., sixteen days, as
recommended by the Medical Staff in the Report for 1916.
In June Dr. Lilian E. Wilson, one of the Medical Officers of the Board of
Education, met t-he Clerk of the Authority and the School Medical Officer at the Town
Hall, and discussed details of the Annual Report, and the arrangements of the
Dental Clinic and Minor Ailments Clinic.
On November 17th it was found necessary to close the Infants' Department
of St. John's School for sixteen days because of whooping cough. This was done
with good effect early in the epidemic after consultation between the School Medical
Officer and the Medical Officer of Health.
The Statistics (Tables I., II., IV. and V.) were prepared from the Schedules and
Cards by the School Nurse. The information for Table III. was obtained by her with
the assistance of the Head Teachers, and the children were classified after examination
by the Medical Inspectors.
I wish to acknowledge the help given by the Teachers in the work of Medical
Inspection and to thank them. Their co-operation is essential in order to obtain
the best results for the children.
The smooth working of the School Medical Service, especially that of the Cleansing
Station, is due to the tact and valuable help of the School Nurse, Miss Linford
Brown. The Clerk of the Authority and his assistant are thanked for the help
readily given whenever required.
W. ADAMS CLARK, M.D.,
April 29th, 1918. School Medical Officer.