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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 1929 the average number of scholars on the Public Elementary
School Rolls in Willesden was 21,096. 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 had not been examined on reaching the age of 12.
The total number of children medically inspected at routine and special inspections during
1929 was 14,378.
Findings of Medical Inspections.—(a) Uncleanliness.—Cleanliness inspections were carried
out in the schools on 511 occasions during the year 1929, the average number of visits paid to each
school by the Health Visitor being 15. The total number of examinations and re-examinations made
during the year was 45,468. The effect of this work is illustrated in the following table:—

(b) Tonsils and Adenoids.—During 1929, at routine and special medical inspections, 1,773
cases of enlarged tonsils and adenoids were discovered, as compared with 2,070 found in 1928, 1,988
found in 1927, 1,858 found in 1926, 2,033 found in 1925, and 1,348 in 1924.
(c) Skin Disease.—During 1929, at routine and special medical inspections, 1,809 cases of skin
disease were detected, as compared with 2,241 cases in 1928, 2,134 cases in 1927, 1,863 cases in 1926,
and 1,519 cases in 1925.
(d) Enlarged Cervical Glands (non-tuberculous).—During 1929 at routine and special medical
inspections 380 cases of this defect were noted as compared with 315 in 1928, 566 in 1927, 670 in
1926 and 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 the Health Nurse 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 1929 school children were followed up by the Health
Department on account of 17,623 medical defects and 8,346 dental defects. Of those defects found
to require treatment, medical or dental treatment was obtained for 12,477 and domestic treatment
was obtained for 4,073. 85.8 per cent. of the medical defects were treated, 61.2 per cent. receiving
medical treatment and 24.6 per cent. domestic treatment; 30 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 78.5per cent., and of the total dental defects treated 93 per cent.,
were dealt with by the Education Committee. The remainder, or 21.5 per cent. of the medical defects
and 7 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 46,005 attendances at the School Centres in 1929, as compared with
50,440 in 1928, 53,782 in 1927, 53,695 in 1926, 46,818 in 1925 and 37,305 in 1924.