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13
Report on the Needlework done by Members of the Mothercraft Class at the Stonebridge
Health Centre.
The work which was divided into four Sections was examined on December 11th. In Section (a)
were knitted garments for very young babies.
(b) Knitted garments for toddlers.
(c) Knitted garments for adults.
(d) Other home-made garments.
The work in the first two sections was very interesting. The little garments were daintily
made, the wools and silks chosen were suitable and there was a large variety of patterns. A particularly
high standard of work was reached in these sections.
In Section (c) the entries showed that much patience, care and hard work had been exercised
by the competitors. Here again the choice of materials, patterns and colours was excellent.
In the fourth section was a variety of garments which included new ones, and those which had
been " made-over " from cast-off clothes. Amongst those shown a baby's silk robe, a hand-made
shirt and a smocked frock call for special mention.
Altogether, the display of garments was most interesting and great credit is due to all those
mothers who have used their limited spare time to such useful purpose, and also to those under whose
guidance the work is done.
E. M. Fisher.
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
Schools.—There are 37 public elementary schools in the district. Of this number 24 are
Council and 13 church or non-provided schools.
Included in the number of the Council schools are 2 special schools, 1 for mentally defective
and 1 for physically defective children.
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 1930 the average number of scholars on the Public Elementary
School Rolls in Willesden was 21,073. 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
1930 was 13,800.
Findings of Medical Inspections.—(a) Uncleanliness.—Cleanliness inspections were carried
out in the schools on 595 occasions during the year 1930, the average number of visits paid to each
school by the Health Visitor being 17. The total number of examinations and re-examinations made
during the year was 57,846. The effect of this work is illustrated in the following table:—
Percentage of nitty and verminous children recorded upon routine inspection at the schools
from year to vear since 1914 :—