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14
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 the year ending 31st March, 1933, the average number of
scholars on the Public Elementary School Rolls, including the Special Schools, in Willesden was 21,416.
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
1933 was 15,062.
Findings of Medical Inspections.—(a) Uncleanliness.—Cleanliness inspections were carried
out in the schools on 603 occasions during the year 1933, the average number of visits paid to each
school by the Health Visitor being 17.7. The total number of examinations and re-examinations
made during the year was 60,246.
This is highly important work. In 1914, when it was first begun, the percentage of nitty or
verminous children in the schools was as high as 20. In those days a child was not called nitty or
verminous except there were many nits on the hair. In 1932, when a child with only a few nits was
placed in this category, the percentage of nitty or verminous children in the schools had dropped to 3-6.
It will therefore be noted that enormous improvement had been effected, far greater actually than
the figures show. In 1933, however, the percentage rose to 4.1.
This is the first reverse in the steady decline which had been maintained since 1920.
Percentage of Nitty and Verminous individual children recorded upon routine cleanliness inspection
at the Schools from year to year since 1914.
1914 20%
1915 23% ,
1916-19 Results not recorded owing to war.
1920 11.9%
1921 9.8%
1922 8.3%
1923 8.2%
1924 7.1%
1925 6.0%
1926 5.9%
1927 4.7%
1928 4.7%
1929 4.0%
1930 3.7%
1931 3.6%
1932 3.6%
1933 4.1%
(b) Tonsils and Adenoids.—During 1933 at routine and special medical inspections, 1,361
cases of enlarged tonsils and adenoids were discovered, as compared with 1,394 found in 1932, 1,668
in 1931, 2,021 in 1930, 1,773 in 1929, 2,070 in 1928.
(c) Skin Disease.—During 1933, at routine and special medical inspections, 1,727 cases of skin
disease were detected, as compared with 1,607 in 1932, 1,807 in 1931, 1,888 in 1930, 1,809 in 1929,
2,241 in 1928.
(d) Enlarged Cervical Glands (non-tuberculous).—During 1933, at routine and special medical
inspections 275 cases of this defect were noted as compared with 285 in 1932, 302 in 1931, 505 in 1930,
380 in 1929, 315 in 1928.
Infectious Diseases.—The action taken to detect and prevent the spread of infectious
diseases was as set forth in my Annual Report for 1925.