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The hygienic condition of the schools in Willesden is very variable. Many of the more modern
schools leave little to be desired as regards ventilation, lighting, warming, equipment and sanitation,
but some of the other schools fall short of the standard desirable.
Water to the schools is supplied in all instances direct from the mains of the Metropolitan
Water Board.
Adequate facilities are provided for the supply of drinking water for the scholars.
Medical Inspection.—During 1926 the average number of scholars on the Public Elementary
School Rolls in Willesden was 21,845. The following groups of children were examined during the
year:—
(1) All children admitted to school for the first time;
(2) All children between 8 and 9 years of age; and
(3) All children between 12 and 13 years of age, together with children over 13 years of
age who have not been examined on reaching the age of 12.
The total number of children medically inspected at routine and special inspections during
J925 was 15,795.
Findings of Medical Inspections.—(a) Uncleanliness.—Cleanliness inspections were carried
out in the schools on 731 occasions during the year 1926, the average number of visits paid to each
school by the Health Visitor being 23. The total number of examinations and re-examinations made
during the year was 48,017. The effect of this work is well illustrated in the following table0:—

(b) Tonsils and Adenoids.—During 1926, at routine and special medical inspections, 1,858
cases of enlarged tonsils and adenoids were discovered, as compared with 2,033 found in 1925, and
1,348 in 1924.
(c) Skin Disease.—During 1926, at routine and special medical inspections, 1,863 cases of skin
disease were detected, as compared with 1,519 cases in 1925, an increase of 344.
(d) Enlarged Cervical Glands (non-tuberculous).—During 1926 at routine and special medical
inspections 670 cases of this defect were noted as compared with 369 in 1925.
Infectious Diseases.—The action taken to detect and prevent the spread of infectious
diseases was the same as set forth in my Annual Report for 1925.
Following Up.—All defects found at medical and dental inspections are notified to the parents,
and it is the duty of the Health Nurses to follow up these cases in their homes in order to ascertain
if the necessary treatment has been obtained. If nothing has been done she again explains the necessity
for treatment to the parent, and advises as to the best method of obtaining such treatment.
Medical Treatment.—During the year 1926 school children were followed up by the Health
Department on account of 19,179 medical defects and 7,163 dental defects. Of those defects found
to require treatment, medical or dental treatment was obtained for 12,498 and domestic treatment
was obtained for 5,522. 88.3 per cent. of the medical defects were treated, 57.8 per cent. receiving
medical treatment and 30.5 per cent. domestic treatment; 28 per cent. of the dental defects followed
up were treated. No record is available of defects requiring treatment which were not followed up.
Of the total medical defects treated 87 per cent., and of the total dental defects treated 97 per cent.,
were dealt with by the Education Committee. The remainder, or 13 per cent. of the medical defects
and 3 per cent. of the dental defects treated were dealt with by private practitioners, voluntary
hospitals, or other charitable institutions, or the Poor Law. In connection with the defects treated,
the children concerned made 53,695 attendances at the School Clinics in 1926, as compared with
46,818 in 1925 and 37,305 in 1924.